Perfection

Nordstrom's first employee manual was a work of genius. It read: 

Welcome to Nordstrom

We're glad to have you with our Company. Our number one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Set both your personal and professional goals high. We have great confidence in your ability to achieve them.

Nordstrom Rules: Rule #1: Use best judgment in all situations. There will be no additional rules.

Please feel free to ask your department manager, store manager, or division general manager any question at any time.

I have known and continue to know many people who are thoroughly enamored with rules.  These are people who desire clearly delineated codes of conduct for all situations.  While there is a place in the world for rules, these people believe that there must be a rule for every place.   

In my estimation, these people tend to be timid, conforming, paralyzed by choice, lacking confidence, afraid to be perceived as the bad guy and unable to enforce discipline or garner respect without explicit norms.  These are people who value structure and obedience over choice and good judgment.

In raising my daughter, I'm hoping to be more of an old school Nordstrom's man.

Which is a phrase I never thought I would ever utter.