On My Mind

We probably all know about "yes men." They are facilitators, enablers, people who will do anything the boss asks, without regard to whether it's good for the boss or the company or themselves.
     Yes men are the guys who will approach the smokin'-hot babe at the bar and say, "Hey, Tiger Woods wants to meet you," even though they know Tiger Woods has a wife and kids at home and is looking for more than just a "meeting."
     Yes men are the guys who will claim that the embarrassing bun in the oven is actually THEIRS, and not the result of infidelity by the guy who is running for President of the United States, and whose wife is recovering from cancer. After all, he needs to be protected and elected, because he can do SO MUCH GOOD for the country if he occupies the Oval Office.
     Tiger Woods and John Edwards are recent high-profile examples of guys who had too many yes men. Most yes-men never make it to the evening news; they never sign the six-figure book contract. They just laugh at the obscene or racially-prejudiced joke instead of expressing their offense. They don't say anything when the boss makes a crack about skirt-chasing. Or lies to his wife, or on the quarterly report; or cheats on his taxes.
     Some of these yes-men aren't just yessing for the boss; they yes for friends too. They never say no. It might get them fired. Or they might lose a friend. "Go along to get along" is their life motto. And they don't break it.
     I think every man needs to look at the people around them, and make sure there's a "No-man" in the mix. Every man needs someone close whose integrity is more important to them than their job, and more important than your friendship. Someone who will say, "No." No, I won't be a part of your lie. No, you don't need to go out tonight; go home to your wife instead. Someone who will say, "Listen, you don't need that big promotion if you can't even manage your own life."
     Who is holding you accountable? Who is there in your life that knows you well enough to see you turning down a wrong path and loves you enough to stand in the way and say NO?
     John Wooden, the greatest college basketball coach ever, said this: "Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you." Someone who'll argue with you is a no man.
     And if you don't have one in your life, watch out.