Think for yourself
Challenging the status quo has to be a top priority in any organization. Accepting the status quo leads to stagnation. Stagnation will kill any organization.
Being a yes-man is damaging to the individual, not just the company. The classic movie "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" chronicles the stress Gregory Peck's character endures by agreeing with everything his boss says just to keep a job he really doesn't even want. If you find yourself in an organization that does not encourage dissent, move on to one that does.
The Internet Search Engine Google has "never settle for the best" as one of their goals and puts that at the top of their corporate information page. Their performance recently, in a very tough market, is testimony to the value of that plan.
Manage This Issue
Foster a culture in your company where differing opinions are encouraged. Avoid the temptation to surround yourself with individuals who are so similar to you that they can't offer a different perspective. Don't surround yourself with people who are so afraid that they won't dissent. Reward creativity and original thought in your decision-making process. Hang on to those people who have mastered the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable. Maybe then you can avoid being blindsided by events such as Enron has encountered.
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