A little of both. I understand getting a warm fuzzy feeling that you did the right things, but if you don't achieve your goal, what's the point?
But let me clarify -- OP mentioned a contrast between consequentialism and virtual ethics and I think you can be "too much" consequentialism too. I'm wouldn't call myself a rule follower but I also follow rules 99% of the time too. It does create a sense of order and and predictability and I value that.
There is a right balance where you do follow rules but you also know when to break them. What I can't really stand are rigid people -- diehard rule followers or diehard "no one can tell me what to do." I find working with rigid people hard because you have to work around their "buttons."
But let me clarify -- OP mentioned a contrast between consequentialism and virtual ethics and I think you can be "too much" consequentialism too. I'm wouldn't call myself a rule follower but I also follow rules 99% of the time too. It does create a sense of order and and predictability and I value that.
There is a right balance where you do follow rules but you also know when to break them. What I can't really stand are rigid people -- diehard rule followers or diehard "no one can tell me what to do." I find working with rigid people hard because you have to work around their "buttons."