There is research on this topic that studied the behavior of children at the age of 12 and followed them for 40 years to see how diligent students compared to rule-breaking kids in their careers. It turns out that those who break the rules tend to be more daring and earn more money.

If you walk into a sixth-grade classroom and observe the students, can you predict which child will grow up to be a successful millionaire? Could it be the "nerdy kid" with excellent grades, the talented athlete representing the school, the little musician who plays the piano beautifully, or her friend with a dreamy singing voice? Or perhaps the boy who draws as if he’s studying at an art institute? Alternatively, you might choose the class leader with good interpersonal skills.

Of course, most people wouldn’t pick the troublemaker sitting at the back, engrossed in games, joking around, or reading inappropriate material.

However, a 40-year-long study reveals that if you are looking for future wealth, you should actually choose the latter group, as they are more likely to succeed!

The famous study (Dev Psychol. 2015, 51(9):1329-40.) began in 1968, where researchers studied 12-year-old sixth graders, documenting everything from IQ levels, personality traits, behaviors, to the socioeconomic status of their parents. They continued to track this data over the years.

Forty years later, the findings were both unsurprising and surprising. It was not surprising that the children identified by teachers as diligent students ended up with respectable jobs. However, it was surprising that this group did not earn the most money.

 

The highest earners were actually the "rebellious kids" at the back of the class, those who didn’t care much for rules or the commands of parents and teachers.

   

  • Why is that?

Previous research often indicated that successful individuals (those who earn a lot, gain fame, etc.) tend to be determined, patient, and persistent in overcoming obstacles. However, little value is placed on the rebellious kids who break rules and don’t listen to authority.

The researchers noted that the reason these "rule-breakers" earn more may be that they are not afraid to negotiate salaries and benefits and are more likely to demand these things.

Another reason could be that these individuals particularly value competition, which makes them less concerned about getting along with the majority and more focused on their personal interests.

These traits can actually be advantageous in the competitive world of earning money.

Of course, it’s a fact that some who achieve wealth beyond their peers may do so through dishonest or illegal means, but this study did not find any examples of volunteers exhibiting such behavior.

So, how much can we trust the findings of this research?

There are other studies, such as one published in 2012 (J Pers Soc Psychol. 2012 Feb;102(2):390-407.) that confirms a similar trend: compliant, easy-going individuals tend to earn less.

But even more striking is the project called The Illinois Valedictorian Project (https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED368304), which found that high-achieving students, especially those who represent their peers at graduation, often end up in respectable fields like science and mathematics, engineering, or business, yet they do not earn the highest salaries.

Interestingly, this research also found that even with equal abilities, Black and Hispanic individuals often have lower average educational attainment than other groups, indicating that social factors always play a role.

In the book Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker, he summarizes this issue interestingly: "Schools tend to reward those who follow the rules, not those who create chaos." Yet, it is often the outliers who become investors, innovators, and billionaires more easily.

Of course, not every outlier will succeed, so it is the responsibility of teachers and parents to know how to manage and channel the energy of these children into positive pursuits, helping them become pioneers who disregard the naysayers who claim it’s impossible, but without straying too far into criminal behavior.

Another important aspect to offer these children is kindness and understanding, as well as showing empathy when they occasionally go too far. As long as their rule-breaking does not harm anyone, it should not be excessively punished. If this can be achieved, they will grow into strong individuals who are unafraid to break the rules to create something new, making the world a better place.

This reminds me of Harry Potter, the quintessential character who leads his friends in breaking all the rules at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

SOURCE: www.bangkokbiznews.com