Chasing perfection, but what is that?

I've been struggling with my classroom management since I began teaching, but who hasn't? A few realizations have made it much easier to deal with.

1. My idea of perfect management is much different than the next person's
What I mean is that there is only so much time that I can spend living up to the ideal expectations of those around me. My classroom runs differently than the teacher's down the hall. Why? Well, we are different people (something that I value). Also, we have different students, a dynamic we struggle with at the beginning of every year. I cringe every time I hear another teacher say that this year's classes went like last year's. Though it might be easier if they were, wouldn't that be boring?

2. Treating my students like people (as opposed to obstacles) works much better for me.
I'm constantly seeing students labeled. That's why I am very precise in telling my students that what they are doing is annoying, not themselves as people. Overreaction seems pretty standard for teachers. We want our students to turn every mistake or failure into a learning experience. But, how can they do that if they are going to fear some sort of overly severe punishment for those mistakes? A student breaks a school rule, how often do we stop to explain to them 1: why the rule exists, and 2: why it is important to follow rules in general, even the ones that we dont fully agree with?

I'm all about a well organized and managed classroom, but not at the sacrifice of my students' individuality, a reasonable amount of freedom, and their right to embrace a culture of mutual respect.