Jobs dropped out of Reed not because he wouldn't/couldn't play by the rules, but because he didn't think he was getting value for the top dollar his parents were spending to send him there. He ended up 'dropping in' on classes (like calligraphy), but there's no indication that he just strolled in an hour late and disrespected the professors he was trying to learn from.

"respecting institutions, having manners, demonstrating a level of humility"

These are the easy things of which Steve Jobs is the polar opposite. My point wasn't about attending class.

I have read about his habit of going to meetings and keeping his feet up on the conference room table.

I suspect the rules become different when you're the boss.

That's a fair point. But I just somehow don't see Steve Jobs sending that email. (He would have Woz hack the school PBX and have fun with the Professor. ;) So, yes, if you are a genius with a devilish charm, and have the stuff to back it up, go ahead and break the rules. Hell, even Jobs had to learn a few painful lessons about people, business, and politics the hard way:

http://prateekthapar.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/6.j...

"You are an anonymous student who is now regretting the send button on his laptop. It’s with this context I hope you register pause…REAL pause xxxx and take to heart what I am about to tell you [...]"

To me that's the subtext of this object lesson by the ex-"Muffketeer". Let me paraphrase: "I didn't know you before, and the event was forgetful. Not any more. That was stupid, and you need to learn so you won't make that mistake again."