Why You Should be a YES! Person

A yes! person is typically defined as an individual that will go along with what another says, particularly in the workplace, in order to (1) avoid conflict, or (2) for their own strategic gain.

Let's redefine a yes! person, and in this new context being an agreeable person will be an extremely beneficial career move. A yes person redefined is someone that sees the possibilities of the ideas that others present. A yes person does not believe in the words 'not possible' or 'not doable,' and is actually quite allergic to those two terms. A yes person is an individual who will go to any lengths to produce extraordinary work to help a team member realize their aspirations within a project.

This yes person is optimistic but certainly not Pollyanna. You can assess the negatives of any decision affecting your final product, however, you are able to see the possibilities even more clearly. An optimistic person is more likely to reach their final goal - or close to - as opposed to an individual that chooses to focus on the negatives of a scenario.

Given the low rates of job satisfaction in the US, honing this skill or characteristic will shift a person's perceived satisfaction level. Though being more optimistic in your workplace might not immediately change unsatisfactory factors such as job pay or stress levels, it will change your relationship with your job. That change in dynamics will likely be noticed by a manager that is in a position to change the factors that may be leading to your job satisfaction.

In this scenario, you also open yourself up to greater and better career opportunities. A truly positive individual is difficult to ignore and everyone wants those types of individuals on their team. Because, by example, this leads to a more positive team dynamic. This positivity leads to a more empowered work ethic and outputs. This dynamic leads to a very innovative team that is passionate about its work products.

The next time you think of saying to a colleague: sheesh, why don't we have hot, catered lunches here or why does the cleaning lady always forget to vacuum around my desk - pause; look around you. I bet in only 60 seconds you'll find at least 20 items to be positive about. Hey, I'm so thrilled I have an office! I know a friend who has to share a table with 5 other people, and they don't have ANY privacy.

So are you ready to be a yes! person? Please share your insights in the comments section.