Rule Deviation vs Policy Violation

In organisations, “rule deviation” and “policy violation” offer two distinct ways of responding to unexpected situations. Rule deviation is about slightly bending a rule in specific cases, often with permission and within limits. Policy violation, however, is when someone knowingly breaks a fundamental rule without permission, leading to serious consequences.

Interestingly, ancient myths illustrate these ideas well. In mythology, demons often gained powerful abilities through intense penance, which came with strict conditions—similar to policies in an organisation. The gods, instead of breaking these conditions directly when dealing with these demons, found creative ways within the limits to address challenges. Let’s look at some examples from these stories to understand this better.

Special Powers in Mythology: Strength with Conditions:

Demons in ancient myths often obtained their special powers by pleasing the gods with rigorous penance (tapasya). These powers had specific limitations, much like organisational policies. When the demons misused their powers, the gods found ways to challenge them while respecting these conditions, showing that true strength lies in using power wisely and responsibly.

Mythological Lessons on Rule Deviation and Policy Violation

1. Ravana and Lord Rama: Strategy Over Rule-Breaking

Ravana, the demon king, received a boon that made him nearly invincible against gods and demons but left him vulnerable to humans. Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu in human form, respected this condition. Instead of using divine powers to overpower Ravana, Rama fought him as a human, relying on alliances, strategy, and righteousness to defeat him. Success doesn’t always require breaking rules. Like Rama, organisations can tackle problems creatively and with integrity, finding solutions within established guidelines.

2. Hiranyakashipu and Narasimha: Creativity Within Limits

Hiranyakashipu’s boon protected him from being killed by man or beast, day or night, inside or outside. To defeat him, Lord Vishnu took the form of Narasimha, a half-man, half-lion, and attacked him at twilight (neither day nor night) in a palace doorway (neither inside nor outside). With creativity, even the most rigid boundaries can be worked within. Narasimha’s approach shows that it’s possible to solve complex problems by thinking out of  the box while still respecting the rules.

3. Mahishasura and Goddess Durga: Embracing Unique Strength

Mahishasura’s boon protected him from any man, which he assumed made him invincible. When the time came, Goddess Durga rose to the challenge, using her unique strength as a woman to defeat him.Durga’s victory shows that rules don’t need to be broken to overcome challenges. Instead, leaders can embrace unique strengths and find innovative solutions within policy boundaries.

4. Bhasmasura and Mohini: Outwitting Without Violating Rules

Bhasmasura had the power to turn anyone he touched to ashes. When he became overconfident, Lord Vishnu appeared as the enchantress Mohini and tricked him into using his power on himself. Mohini’s approach illustrates how understanding a rule’s boundaries can work to counter negative actions without directly violating policies.

5. Tarakasura and Kartikeya: Preparation Within the Framework

Tarakasura’s boon made him vulnerable only to Shiva’s son. Shiva’s son, Kartikeya, was raised and trained specifically to fulfil this role, defeating Tarakasura and respecting the boon’s condition. Kartikeya’s story highlights the value of preparation within a framework. Anyone can meet specific goals through proper training and development without crossing core boundaries .

Final Thought: Applying Rule Deviation and Policy Integrity

These stories highlight a timeless truth that strengths lies not in breaking rules but in navigating challenges with creativity and integrity. While gods could have easily revoked the boons they granted, they chose to honor their commitments, demonstrating respect for principles. Similarly, in modern organisations, rule deviation provides flexibility without crossing ethical lines, while policy violation risks damaging trust and values often leading to a negative outcome . By respecting boundaries and adapting strategically, leaders and teams can demonstrate true strength, creativity, and integrity qualities that are as relevant in the modern workplace as they were in ancient battles between gods and demons.