On: Ask for Advice, Not Permission (2015)

[wccrawford]

If they answer is "you don't need my permission", that is permission. Then, and in any circumstance like it in the future.

When it fails, the underling can say "boss said I don't need to ask permission for that", and it appropriately falls upon the boss instead.

I would never say that except in extremely simple circumstances. Anyone asking permission is unsure, and you should help them be sure.