Are you more likely to follow a rule bender?

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied suggests that leaders who bend the rules, rather than strictly following or breaking them, are perceived as more effective. The researchers conducted two experiments involving hypothetical scenarios and found that rule-benders were seen as more dominant and prestigious than rule-abiders or rule-breakers. However, the study also highlights the potential negative consequences of rule-bending leaders, as they may encourage others to engage in dubious behavior. The researchers suggest that understanding the appeal of rule-bending leaders can help prevent their appointment to positions of power. [Extracted from the article]