Issue141：第一篇，求拍：）

crossbowUID: 2689120

TOPIC: ISSUE141 - "Most people recognize the benefits of individuality, but the fact is that personal economic success requires conformity."
WORDS: 375          TIME: 00:45:00          DATE: 2010-2-15 9:46:26

With the rapid development of sciences and technologies, more and more people become well-known for their personal ecnomic successes. Such figures as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and founders of many high-tech companies are famous for their distinct personalities, which are recognized as important factors in their personal success. However, the facts that their conformity to social customs and business principles are also significant factors which contribute to such success.

The society today, has already placed too much emphasis on individuality, whether in families, in schools and colleges, or in companies. In such atomospheres, people tend to ignore established rules which represent the experiences of our predecessors and have been tested under different situations for a long time. The ignorance of, or even break-down of such rules by some individuals, far too often have negative impacts on the operation of the society. Considering the examples in companies, the expection of managers is usually that people who report to them follow their advices more rather than invent their own ways to do things. Managers can expect that all other workers be adherent to company rules if one of them disobeys them. The consequence of such disobeynce is the failure of the group, or the company, as a whole.

The society today calls for conformity. At the same time, individuality should be not be restricted. Effective teams usually have effective individuals; Teams which are innovative always have creative members. If too much restrictions and regulations are placed on individuals, they are told more often what they should not do, but far less what they can contribute on their own. Under such situations, all innovation will be the tasks of managers, but how can we expect they be creative - they are alway busy with meetings, reviews, public relations, etc. Also, from the ecnomic success of high-tech companies, like Apple and Google, it is evident that many innovations come from individuals their founders. It's because of open cultures in such companies, rather than rigid company policies that they become industry leaders.

Therefore, individuality is a basis for innovation, which is very important in today's industries and the society. At the same time, conformity is also necessary for people to cooperate with each other, and to gain recognizations from others.