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02/12/10 10:31 AM
No "yes" men

In Evelyn Waugh’s classic 1938 satire on sensationalist journalism, “Scoop,” the publisher of the fictional Daily Beast terrorizes his international editor, Mr. Salter.
 
The editor’s response to almost any statement from Lord Copper is, “Definitely, Lord Copper.” Only when the boss is completely wrong – as when he identifies the capital of Japan as Yokohama – does Mr. Salter assert himself by saying, “Up to a point, Lord Copper.”
 
With that handicap, it’s no surprise that when the Daily Beast intends to hire a famous novelist to cover a rumored civil war in the fictional nation of Ishmaelia, it sends an inexperienced nature columnist with the same last name.
 
For the reader, it’s a treat. For a real company, cowed executives can be disaster.

When Paul Newman, as Gov. Earl Long of Louisiana in the movie, “Blaze,” introduces his top lieutenants, he throws in some irony. “I want you to meet,” he says, “the finest 'yes' men in Louisiana and their lovely wives.”
 
When his relationship with stripper Blaze Starr begins to ruin his political career, the finest "yes" men in Louisiana are little help.
 
Governor Long and Lord Copper needed advisors unafraid to say, “No.” Smart executives demand candor from their staffs. Smarter ones demand it from their consultants.
 
At Executive Media, we’ve worked with governors and publishers. We’ve worked with CEOs and chairs of the board. At times we’ve weathered squalls raised by our advice, but were thanked when the seas calmed.
 
Confidence in judgment comes from experience. We have that experience at Executive Media. You can always trust your reputation to green talent, of course. Up to a point.

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