CEO Advisor Newsletter July 2022
Don't be a Victim of "Yes-Men" Syndrome
- If you have become surrounded by “Yes-Men” and “Yes-Women”, you are in a dangerous place as a CEO or President. And if you are nurturing or prompting this environment of management and staff constantly agreeing with you without discussion, then you need to read on!
- Why the Yes-Men Syndrome is Dangerous
- Yes-Men are people who agree with everything you say without ever questioning you or asking you further questions, much less challenging your thought process or making a recommendation. They are only interested in appeasing you, however good or bad the result. If you want your business to grow and prosper – and stay out of trouble - you need to hear the real input from others. Only hearing what you want to hear hurts both you and your company, stifles innovation and can cripple your business.
- Here are three reasons why you need to kill off Yes-Men Syndrome immediately:
- 1. Yes-Men Deprive You of What You Need to Hear
- All CEOs delay or even make bad decisions at times. By Yes-Men automatically agreeing with you, blind spots are not seen in advance which leads to larger and costlier problems. That’s when you most need honest feedback and added expertise. They’re notorious for shying away from difficult issues and not standing up for the right input. They politely smile and agree knowing the ripple effect that will follow then say, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
- If you want to get the best outcome possible from objective, seasoned people with real expertise, surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid of posing hard questions. Yes-Men are only good for your ego. They won’t challenge you or help you and your business grow. CEO Advisor, Inc. provides experience, expertise and objective, direct and hands-on help to benefit you and your company to optimize sales, profits and the value of your business.
- 2. Yes-Men are Two-Faced
- Research shows that Yes-Men undermine authority and adopt a status-quo mode of operation even when substantial down-side risk is involved. Agreeing under false pretense often results in resentment to the CEO and a management team they initially sought to please. Yes-Men talk behind management’s back instead of sharing their true opinions and expertise in a constructive and professional way.
- This practice spreads throughout the company where no one is willing to challenge bad ideas. A company characterized by backstabbing and false affirmation creates an environment of bad decisions and a potentially failing company.
- 3. Yes-Men Don’t Follow Through on What They Don’t Believe In
- Yes-Men typically agree and then make promises they can’t keep or commit to or make deadlines that are unrealistic. You cannot rely on Yes-Men to deliver on everything they say they’re going to because it makes for an unsustainable workplace. More importantly, Yes-Men simply don’t believe decisions that are wrong and won’t act on them, even though they agreed with you.
- Don’t Create a Yes-Man Culture
- A Yes-Man Culture is typically created at the top, where strong-willed CEOs or Presidents insist on their ideas as strategy and deadlines as verbatim (even though they can’t be met). If your company is not achieving its goals due to poor execution, missed deadlines, promises repeatedly not kept, etc. seek professional advice from a business advisor to make the needed changes in your company.
- CEO Advisor, Inc. provides expertise and objective, hands-on advice to make the needed changes you need. Contact Mark Hartsell, MBA, President of CEO Advisor, Inc. at (949) 629-2520, by email at MHartsell@CEOAdvisor.com or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information or to schedule a no cost initial consultation at your office.
Joe McCarthy Joins CEO Advisor, Inc. in Southern California
- CEO Advisor, Inc. is pleased to announce that Joe McCarthy has joined as a CEO Advisor in Southern California. Joe has in-depth financial expertise as a former CFO and strong relationships with Private Equity firms and corporations from multiple industries.
- Joe McCarthy is a seasoned business advisor, with an expertise in mergers and acquisitions due diligence, company financings, company sale preparation, growth, strategy and turnaround expertise. Joe has extensive experience in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies, in acquisition integrations and turnarounds.
- Prior to becoming a business advisor and fractional CFO, Joe McCarthy was the Sr. VP/CFO of Sunrise Growers, Inc., EVP/CFO of Trojan Battery, EVP/CFO of Case-Swayne Company, Director at Ashton-Tate Software Company, KPMG and other positions.
- Joe McCarthy achieved a Bachelors in Science, Business & Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. He achieved both CPA and CMA designations during his career.
- Contact CEO Advisor, Inc. at (949) 629-2520 to discuss your specific needs, or visit www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information.