CRM has a lot to do with avoiding difficulties between the seats. There's a time when it's perfectly fine to hand fly up to wherever you wish. When leaving somewhere with no particular altitude or speed constraints we often do that. When leaving somewhere with an RNAV departure there is no choice.... we are directed by company procedure to hook it up. When leaving somewhere as a two man crew with several restrictions on the departure and/or a busy terminal area it's wise in the interest of safety to let the magic work and free both pilots attention to watch for trouble. The important thing is that there's no surprises along the way. Make it a part of your brief to state your intentions. The other pilot(s) may think of something you've not considered. As stated before, automation and hand skills are both required in this business and both are appropriate at some times and inappropriate at others. The professional pilot knows the difference.