[March 2, 2024] The more senior of a leader you become, the more “Yes-Men” you accumulate. Yes-Men are those subordinates, men or women, who work for you and always agree with whatever you say, decide, or do. They are easy to identify, but the more severe problem is having “Silent-Men,” those who will never say a word, even when it is essential to speak up.
“The hard decisions are not the ones you make in the heat of battle. For harder to make are those involved in speaking your mind about some harebrained scheme which proposes to commit troops to action under conditions where failure is almost certain and the only results will be the needless sacrifice of priceless lives.” ― Matthew Ridgeway
Ask any leader with experience, and you will quickly discover that Yes-Men frequently infect them. In the military we are warned about these Yes-Men in our training. There are ways to turn these subordinates into more useful team members by encouraging critical thinking, enhancing decision-making skills, and knowledge building. However, it remains necessary for any good leader to quickly deal with Yes-Men and simultaneously not discourage their participation.
While the former is common and easy to identify since they are so agreeable, those who stay silent in the face of a problem are another issue entirely. They are harder to detect. Indeed, we see these Silent-Men step rearward to hide in the background and remain without comment, without the will to say something when necessary, and do their best to agree with the majority.
It is the epitome of good leadership to search out these Silent-Men and bring them into the team discussions where their brainpower can be put to immediate use. They serve little function by not speaking up or taking action when it is most needed. We use similar leadership tools to bring them along. For example, I would put all my staff into a room to speak on the importance of saying something to me if they thought it was necessary. I always told them that they could contact me anytime. I made it clear that I would never shoot the messenger.
There is always risk with Yes-Men and Silent-Men on your staff. We don’t want someone later deciding that your decisions as their leader can now be second-guessed, especially in public. They had their chance for input. Let’s continue to encourage them to speak up early.
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Please read my books:
1. “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
2. “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
There is always risk with Yes-Men and Silent-Men on your staff. We don’t want someone later deciding that your decisions as their leader can now be second-guessed, especially in public. They had their chance for input. Let’s continue to encourage them to speak up early. Gen Sattefield
My pastor Henderson who was an Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force tell us yes men can get you in trouble because what if they had critical information that could help you make a difference choice. He tells us that as preacher on his staff. Don’t be silent speak out He do know it all. Two heads are better than one. Your inputs matter.
I had this same mindset as Master Sergeant in the Air force. Let’s discuss the problem bring me a solution to help me solve the problem. Leader’s lead from the front that’s why you are called leaders.
Moses and Joshua were great leaders that help Israel people out of bandage in Egypt.
The all times greatest leader is Jesus. He had great listening skills and compassion for the believer and non believers.
There is always risk with Yes-Men and Silent-Men on your staff. We don’t want someone later deciding that your decisions as their leader can now be second-guessed, especially in public. They had their chance for input. Let’s continue to encourage them to speak up early. Gen Sattefield
My pastor Henderson who was an Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force tell us yes men can get you in trouble because what if they had critical information that could help you make a difference choice. He tells us that as preacher on his staff. Don’t be silent speak out He do know it all. Two heads are better than one. Your inputs matter.
I had this same mindset as Master Sergeant in the Air force. Let’s discuss the problem bring me a solution to help me solve the problem. Leader’s lead from the front that’s why you are called leaders.
Moses and Joshua were great leaders that help Israel people out of bandage in Egypt.
The all times greatest leader is Jesus. He had great listening skills and compassion for the believer and non believers.
Great story, Eddie, Thank you for sharing.
Sir, thank you. Just now learning about leadership.
Gen. Satterfield is all about common sense, something seriously lacking today.
“It’s a Weird Weird World”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/its-a-weird-weird-world/
Nailed it, Cow Blue. 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
Hi Gen. Satterfield, I’ve written often on how much I like your letters to your granddaughter. Please continue with this series because it is not just about how to develop properly – altho inconsistently – toward a good and successful life, but also about being a moral person. I have been writing now for a few years, not often, but read your blog daily. I also recommend your blog to others and to buy your book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” Thanks for what you do.
Yes Men …. I dislike their behavior.
Silent Men …. dangerous behavior.
GOOD ADVICE:
“It is the epitome of good leadership to search out these Silent-Men and bring them into the team discussions where their brainpower can be put to immediate use. They serve little function by not speaking up or taking action when it is most needed. We use similar leadership tools to bring them along. For example, I would put all my staff into a room to speak on the importance of saying something to me if they thought it was necessary. I always told them that they could contact me anytime. I made it clear that I would never shoot the messenger.” – Gen. Doug Satterfield
So true, Bride. Are you from Oklahoma? I went to school in Norman, OK. Thanks for the comment about good advice from Gen. Satterfield. This is why I love ❤ his website to much.
Thank you Gen. Doug Satterfield for your continued effort to get us the ways of leadership.
Yep, another great article for those of us who are senior leaders and run across these type of folks all the time. Just a bit of advice: be aware.
So true. They are like hidden landmines, except they explode later when you least expect it. 👍
Hey guys, please consider getting your own copy of Gen. Satterfield’s books.
“Our Longest Year in IRaq”
“55 Rules for a Good Life”
You will be happy you made these purchases and I also recommend you give your books to friends and relatives so they can also learn how to be a better person.
I’ve seen them all, and had to work to bring them into the fold. They are also possible troublemakers because they hide and are unwilling to step forward to list their concerns. I find this most problematic among women professionals. They are unable to adapt properly to a culture dominated by men so they use their reputation-destruction skills instead.
Army Capt, yes, I’ve seen it too in the religious field when women try to become clergy.
Men solve their problems directly. Women would rather hide behind men and sneak their ideas in without confrontation.
Jeff
You are so right now
Indeed, get also copies of his books:
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Yep! I’m unabashedly hawking his books. Gen. Satterfield writes great.
👍👍👍👍👍 I agree with you Yusaf 👍👍👍👍👍