Warning: The following is an exaggerated (and probably absurd) examination on the downsides of being obedient. Thus do not take this article too seriously.
People often complain that their children do not behave or being obedient enough. Rarely do people make the opposite complaint — that their children are too obedient. In fact, people usually give praise to young people who are obedient. The problem is that being too obedient can have its downsides.
Obedient people often follow instructions closely. This means that they are able to perform repetitive tasks without much trouble. However, when problems arise, they may become lost and find it difficult to look for alternative solutions. Such people often ask questions whenever problems arise. However, they may ask about everything in minute detail. This may lead others to think that they are not capable of performing the tasks assigned to them on their own, which can be a problem at work.
When one is excessively obedient, one can become anxious on everything one does, worrying whether one has done things according to what others want. This may lead such a person to do things that please those around one rather than what is right. In extreme cases, one may lose the ability to judge right from wrong.
At the same time, an excessively obedient person often has trouble making decisions on their own, even on the most simple matters. This can result in such a person to have low levels of self-esteem and doubts on one's ability in doing anything. Such a person may be deemed indecisive by others. This may not be much of an issue when one is young, but such indecisiveness can become a large problem as one grows older, when one has to deal with complex choices in life.
Someone who is very obedient often wait for instructions from others and tend to be reactive, unwilling to take the initiative. Meanwhile, such a person often takes what one's supervisor says at face value and can easily become a "Yes Man" and a "Bosses' pet" in the eyes of others.
There are probably more downsides to being obedient than the points listed here, just don't let the disciplinarians read this.