I lead a big team, and one of the biggest challenges of being the boss is being surrounded by yes-people. It just comes with the territory.
This is all very new to me. I worked in tech for over 10 years, and in that world, my ideas were constantly challenged. Every meeting felt like a mental sparring session—people poked holes in my thinking until I could clearly see the pros and cons of a decision.
It’s the same in sports. I always sought out coaches who weren’t afraid to give the harshest feedback. I’m there to improve—I don’t care if you criticize me or call out what I did wrong. I’ll take it. That’s how I grow.
Being surrounded by yes-men is dangerous. You don’t grow. You don’t see your blind spots. You make decisions in an echo chamber.
If you want to improve—in business, sports, or life—surround yourself with people who challenge you, not just people who agree with you.