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About this quote

What does it mean?
It is often faster to do something first and apologize later than to wait for approval.
In plain terms
Action is quicker than asking permission.
What can you take from it?
Move fast and seek forgiveness later.

Where it applies

  • working in rigid organizations
  • innovation work
  • urgent tasks

Putting it to work

  • bypassing red tape
  • speeding up workflows
  • building momentum

Questions to consider

  • When is asking permission a waste of time?
  • How do you balance speed and protocol?

Another view

This approach can damage trust if overused or applied to serious risks.

More from Grace Hopper

  1. A ship in port is safe; but that is not what ships are built for. Sail out to sea and do new things.

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  2. I handed my passport to the immigration officer, and he looked at it and looked at me and said, 'What are you?'

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  3. To me programming is more than an important practical art. It is also a gigantic undertaking in the foundations of knowledge.

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