No horses on the freeway

We saw a sign this summer that read ‘No horses on the freeway’.  The sign was posted on the on-ramp somewhere between Ohio and Pennsylvania in the official DOT green and white.  There was even a picture of a horse on it. While the kids and I found it funny, the sign was by no means a joke.

Why? Because at some point, somebody put their horse on the freeway, which evidently caused a problem.

Why? Because in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania people drive horses and carriages as a primary mode of transpiration. 

Why? Because horses are allowed on other streets the freeways are connected to the streets.

Why? Because the existing rules weren’t clear enough, so clarification was needed.

Why? Because somebody official anticipated another horse on the freeway.  

I wonder what rules I live by that seem comical to others? 

I wonder what rules I live by exist in response to that one odd situation years ago? 

I wonder what rules I live by that exist to addressed some imagined problem that I’ll never face?

See, horses don’t belong on the freeway.  Freeways were designed for artificial horsepower and while they can support cars and trucks and motorcycles, thoroughbreds break the system.  So, where can thoroughbreds do what thoroughbreds do?  

I wonder if we ask the same thing of employees in organizations?  Are we putting pack horses on racetracks or thoroughbreds on freeways? 

We need to understand what the system is designed for and select the right talent that can be successful.  

We need to understand if our rules are built to protect the system or the people.

We need to understand if our rules exist to prevent real problems or imagined potentialities. 

We need to understand if our cultural norms exist today because of yesterday’s bad decisions