"Don't ask permission just ask forgiveness "

Sometimes, it’s better to just go ahead and do something rather than waiting around for approval. That's the gist of the idea we’re chatting about today. Imagine you’re at work, and you've got this brilliant idea to streamline a process, but your boss is notoriously slow to approve anything new. Instead of waiting for the green light, you implement a small change on your own. If it works, great! If it doesn’t, you apologize and tweak things back. The thinking here is that action often speaks louder than bureaucracy.

Historically, this mentality has roots in entrepreneurial and innovative environments where rapid decision-making can mean the difference between success and failure. It’s about cutting through red tape and taking initiative. Steve Jobs, the iconic co-founder of Apple, was known for this approach. He often operated on the principle that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. By doing so, he pushed boundaries and drove innovation, even when it ruffled some feathers.

Let’s look at a concrete example. Picture Jane, a marketing manager at a mid-sized tech company. She noticed the company's social media presence was lagging behind its competitors. Instead of waiting for the quarterly planning meeting, she took the initiative to start a campaign featuring customer success stories. She didn’t ask her boss first, knowing the idea might get bogged down by endless discussions. The campaign took off, generating buzz and new leads. Jane’s boss was initially taken aback but couldn’t argue with the results. Jane apologized for not running it by him first, but the success of the campaign spoke volumes.

Now, how can you apply this in your own life? Here’s some specific advice: evaluate the risk. If the potential fallout of your unauthorized action is manageable and the possible gains are significant, it might be worth taking the plunge. This doesn’t mean you should act recklessly—use your best judgment. Consider the culture of your organization or community. In more rigid environments, you might need to tread carefully. But in dynamic, fast-paced settings, this approach can pay off.

Picture this: you’re part of a community group planning an annual event. Meetings drag on and decisions are deferred. You see an opportunity to partner with a local business for sponsorship, but the next meeting is weeks away. You decide to reach out to the business on your own. They love the idea and agree to sponsor your event. At the next meeting, you present the great news. Some members might be miffed you didn’t wait, but the undeniable benefit to the event helps smooth things over.

In the end, this concept is about balancing initiative with responsibility. It’s not a free pass to do whatever you want, but a strategy for when taking action is crucial. So next time you’re stuck in a loop of endless permissions, think about the impact of your actions. Sometimes, moving forward decisively and dealing with the consequences later can drive success and innovation. And besides, a sincere apology can go a long way.