Rules. Some people love them, some people loathe them, and some pretend they don’t exist until they get caught. But why do different personalities react so differently to structure? And how does that change when we’re making decisions alone versus when we’re in a group? Let’s dive into this, with a bit of help from a famous literary and cinematic example—none other than J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
The Rule-Followers: The Samwises of the World
If you’re the type of person who reads the entire IKEA instruction manual before assembling a chair, you might be a rule-follower. You believe that rules exist for a reason, and things work better when people stick to them.
In The Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee is a perfect example. He’s loyal to the mission, follows the rules (mostly), and genuinely believes that if everyone just did what they were supposed to, things would go much smoother. When Frodo says, “We’re going to Mordor,” Sam doesn’t question the plan—he just starts packing (and probably ensures they have a well-organized list of lembas bread and rope). In a group, rule-followers keep things running smoothly, but they can also be somewhat rigid. “No, Pippin, you cannot touch the Seeing Stone.”
The Rebels: The Aragorns and the Han Solos
On the other end of the spectrum, we have the free spirits who see rules as, at best, guidelines and, at worst, entirely optional obstacles to creativity and fun. Think Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, or Han Solo from Star Wars. These are the people who don’t just break the rules—they rewrite them.
Aragorn doesn’t sit around waiting for the Council of Elrond to assign him a title; he forges his path and takes charge when necessary. In a group setting, these people often become reluctant leaders because they think outside the box and adapt quickly. But let’s be honest, if they were left to manage the group logistics, everyone would be wandering Middle-earth without a map.
The Chaotic Neutrals: The Pippins and Deadpools
Then, we have the chaotic neutrals—the wild cards, the Pippin Tooks, the Deadpools. These personalities don’t necessarily hate rules, but they do love testing them. They don’t just ask, “Why shouldn’t I touch this cursed artifact?”—they go ahead and touch it to see what happens.
In a solo setting, these folks make their own rules and live with the consequences (often shrugging them off with a laugh). But put them in a group, and things can get messy. They’re the ones who press the big red button labelled “DO NOT TOUCH” to see what it does. (Spoiler: it usually causes an explosion.)
Decision-Making: Solo vs. Group Dynamics
When making decisions independently, people tend to adhere to their natural inclinations. Rule-followers plan everything out, rebels go rogue, and chaotic neutrals hope for the best.
But put these different personalities in a group, and suddenly, the dynamic shifts. A room full of rule-followers? Expect a highly detailed (and agonizingly slow) decision-making process. A team of rebels? You’ll have a decision in seconds, but it might involve something illegal. A mix of all three? You’ve got a debate, an impulsive act of defiance, and probably a fire to put out before the decision even gets made.
Think about The Fellowship of the Ring. It’s a classic mix of personalities. The lawful Gandalf tries to keep things on track. Aragorn adapts as needed. Pippin touches something he shouldn’t. And somehow, despite all of this, they still get things done (mostly).
Conclusion: Finding Balance in the Chaos
The reality is that no single approach is always the best. Rules help maintain order, but bending them can sometimes be necessary. Whether you’re a Samwise, an Aragorn, or a Pippin, the key is knowing when to stick to the rules, when to break them, and—most importantly—who to let hold the mystical artifacts. (Hint: Not Pippin.)
