Yes, especially in today’s fast-paced, highly competitive world. If you routinely wait for permission to make things happen, you will miss many opportunities. Moreover, if you ask permission and it is declined, you are no longer able to pursue that course of action. If you do, you could be fired for insubordination. Now, I am not saying that you should not ask management for permission—that you should just strike out on your own every time you want to do something. If you sense that you should get permission before moving forward on a task, then act accordingly. If you cannot decide whether to ask for permission, then ask, just to be safe. At the same time, you want to develop a reputation for taking the initiative and making things happen.