"Seek forgiveness, not permission."

I can't remember when I first heard it, but it made so much sense to me. Rather than asking for permission to do something (which may then require a lot of discussion and haggling), just do what you're going to do and see what kind of response you get to it.

Of course, it's not applicable in every context, but it applies often in data management. Here are just two examples.

1. Rather than telling your staff that you're going to hide unused queries, reports, and fields, just hide them without telling them. Wait and see how many actually ask what happened to those queries, reports, or fields. You'll be amazed at how few actually notice!
2. When converting data from an old system to a new one, convert as little data as possible and see if anyone notices. Too often during data migrations staff will say "We need it all!" when in fact they need very little of it. So rather than telling them "no," just migrate the minimum data and see what kind of feedback you get.

Of course, if you get legitimate feedback and need to change what you did, you should do that. But sometimes it's faster, better, and easier to just do rather than ask.