Stop asking permission and start taking action!

I was reflecting recently on my career and life and when I think about it, apart from a low self esteem period in my 20s where I doubted myself constantly, I have never asked for permission. That might sound like a bold or slightly arrogant statement, but hear me out. Asking for permission can hold us back in both work and life. It creates a power dynamic where we are dependent on the approval of others, and this dependence can stifle our creativity and progress.?

Way back when I was a student I worked in a shoe shop. One Sunday I was asked to come in when the shop was closed to help refit. There were no customers and we each had our own tasks so there was no need to take my lunch break in the designated slot so I took my lunch when I was hungry at 1pm. My boss at the time started shouting at me for not asking permission. So the next day I left. I decided that I didn’t want to work in a place where power over other people was more important than job satisfaction or simple logic.

By the way, for those of you who don’t know me personally, I wouldn’t particularly characterise myself as a bold go-getter type, on the contrary, this introvert would happily fade into the background on many occasions, but what I won’t do is ask for permission and here’s why:

1. Limits creativity and innovation - When we seek permission before taking action, we may miss out on opportunities to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ideas. When we are always seeking approval, we are less likely to take risks and push boundaries, which is essential for creativity and innovation.
2. Hinders personal growth - Asking for permission can be a form of self-doubt. It sends a message to ourselves that we are not capable or confident enough to make decisions on our own. By avoiding taking risks and making decisions independently, we limit our own growth and development.
3. Creates a power dynamic - In the workplace, asking for permission can establish a power dynamic where we are dependent on the approval of our superiors. This dependence can lead to a lack of autonomy and decision-making power, and ultimately, a decrease in job satisfaction.
4. Slows down progress - In both work and life, asking for permission can slow down progress. We may waste time waiting for approval or seeking the right person to make a decision. This can lead to missed deadlines, lost opportunities, and decreased productivity.

Let’s be clear though: not asking for permission doesn’t equate to not seeking team input or listening to feedback. It isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card for the lone wolf who prefers to do projects alone. Far from it, it just means that once you have gathered together all of the necessary insights, input, context and applied all of the knowledge within the team to the problem, you are confident in the output. It’s also not a question of entitlement. We are all hired for our skills and expertise, and unique insights and ability. Even a person new to the field, as long as they have sought input from the right people or sources, shouldn’t need to ask for permission. When you have done your due diligence, don’t ask for permission, just act.