“It’s Easier To Ask Forgiveness Than To Get Permission”
I have seen this abused. A team member does whatever she thinks is best, and the rest now have to tag along because to communicate to all stakeholders that it was not a team decision and needs to be revisited is too costly.<p>That can be seen by some management as &quot;getting things done&quot;. And quite often that person feels vindicated when her solution works.<p>But that person is not able to realize the cost of the mistrust of the team and detachment of the job nor to think about the possibility that the other solution not only have worked, but it will have been way better.<p>At my job, I have to arbitrate between team members and teams. I will flag anyone that decides to &quot;ask for forgiveness instead of permission&quot; and notify their manager. I don&#x27;t like to work with people that think that they are so good that don&#x27;t need to present their arguments like the rest.<p>So when going for forgiveness instead of permission, it is wise to think:<p>a) If your way is so good, you should be able to get what you want with arguments.<p>b) If you force everyone else to follow your way without their consent, you are not a leader you are just abusing the system.<p>c) That it works does not mean that was the best option.<p>d) That other people can also have done the same does not mean that they are worse than you, it may be that they see a bigger picture that you can&#x27;t see.<p>It is still possible to go for it. But you need to be accountable for the consequences.