Talk:Grace Hopper

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It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission

I have found an instance prior to the listed date of this quote: Achieving Excellence in Law Enforcement, by Jan R. Duke

Page 12:

As one person said, "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission."

I wonder which law enforcement personnel interviewed gave that quote?
@adamrofer 75.103.27.250 22:10, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks for that info. That work of 1985 has an anonymous statement related to the attributions:

Risk taking means the willingness to accept reasonable failures as well as successes. Management must share in the failures as well as the successes. Excellent agencies consider mistakes as learning-experiences. They don't berate employees for failing, as long as it's a necessary risk. As a matter of fact they reward trying. The attitude is that they would rather have someone make an honest mistake for trying than make no mistake and do nothing. As one person said, "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission." In the really good departments, employees will always be working on something new and creative.

From personal acquaintances, I myself quite confidently believe that Hopper was probably saying such things at least as early as 1971, and definitely believe she was by 1975, though as of yet I have found no documentation to confirm that. ~ ♞☤☮♌Kalki·†·⚓⊙☳☶⚡ 22:18, 7 August 2014 (UTC) + tweaks