Yes-men/women

A 'yes-man' or 'yes-woman' is a person who habitually agrees with and supports the opinions of their superiors, regardless of their own beliefs. They are characterized by their eagerness to please and avoid any form of disagreement or critical feedback. This behavior often stems from a desire for approval, advancement, or the avoidance of conflict, potentially hindering open communication and innovative thinking within an organization. They are often perceived as lacking independent thought and integrity, contributing to a stifled and insincere work environment. Their unquestioning adherence to authority can lead to poor decision-making.

Yes-men/women meaning with examples

• The CEO surrounded himself with yes-men, making it impossible to get honest feedback on his ideas. No one dared to challenge his strategies, leading to several disastrous business ventures and a decline in company performance. Innovation stagnated, and the company became increasingly isolated from market realities, proving the harm of an uncritical team.
• In the political arena, the advisor was a classic yes-man, always agreeing with the president's policies, even when evidence suggested otherwise. This lack of dissent created an echo chamber, leading to flawed decisions and strained relationships with other nations. The president’s isolation and inflexibility led to political instability.
• The project manager, a notorious yes-woman, never questioned any request from her superiors. She would agree to every deadline, regardless of its feasibility, leading to missed deadlines, poor quality work, and overworked teams. This ultimately resulted in wasted resources and a loss of team morale.
• Despite the obvious issues with the design, the marketing team included a number of yes-men who did not challenge the direction. They feared disagreement with their director, resulting in a product that did not resonate with consumers and failed to meet sales targets. This highlighted the detrimental effect of uncritical approval.