The few times I've gone "off the reservation" to work on something important to the organization, but I know I would have been told to not work on it, I usually

The few times I've gone "off the reservation" to work on something important to the organization, but I know I would have been told to not work on it, I usually: 1. Don't tell the boss about it until is partially functional. They can't forbid you to work on something that they do not know exists. 2. Work 1-2 hours a day on it. When they ask you what you are working on today, you can honestly talk about the main stuff you are doing for 6-7 hours of the day, without mentioning the side project.