It is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
The most damaging phrase in the language is: ‘It’s always been done that way.’
To me programming is more than an important practical art. It is also a gigantic undertaking in the foundations of knowledge.
The only phrase I’ve ever disliked is, ‘Why, we’ve always done it that way.’ I always tell young people, ‘Go ahead and do it. You can always apologize later.’
You manage things; you lead people.
Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’ I try to fight that. That’s why I have a clock on my wall that runs counter-clockwise.
No computer is ever going to ask a new, reasonable question. It takes trained people to do that.
At any given moment, there is always a line representing what your boss will believe. If you step over it, you will not get your budget. Go as close to that line as you can.