Looking for a few good “yes men”

Successful entrepreneurs mimic the Marines – they actively recruit a few good “yes men” for their teams. [1] This may sound counter-intuitive. We usually think of “yes men” (or women) as subordinates lacking independent value who follow their bosses around constantly telling them what they want to hear. Never mind the facts, let alone the truth…

But there is another kind of “yes man” – the kind of whom Napoleon Hill would have approved. [2] Hill championed the notion that successful people surround themselves with associates and advisors who are of like minds – who see the world as they do, who share the same goals, and who are willing to do and give whatever is necessary to achieve those goals. [3]

These “yes men”, like the marines, are comrades in arms. They are loyal, committed and disciplined, but that does not mean they are incapable of speaking the truth because the mission must take priority over everything else. And sometimes that means they most go toe-to-toe with the boss to ensure that decisions made and actions taken are based on the best available information (facts) and in accord with the reality of the world around them (truth?). You as the CEO should want them to do that lest you find your company in the ditch.

Hence the term – a few “good yes men” – like minded and committed – yes, timid – no. The marines clearly got it right. Have you gotten it right?