Cheerleader > Yes-man

[Starting & Finishing - XII]

A yes-man (excuse the tone-deaf, culturally insensitive, gendered language) is exactly as it sounds: a person that only says “Yes”. It’s someone who gives uncritical praise, support, and compliments. But their motives are always suspect; their compliments are always slightly off-center, even disingenuous. When the hype or the fame leaves, so do they.

A cheerleader, on the other hand, singed up for the job regardless of the record. They are there, win or lose, to wear the colors, wave the pom-poms, scream, yell, and chant. They arrive early, stay late, and stand on the field, in the thick of the action. In good times and bad, a good cheerleader sounds the same.

A yes-man doesn’t contribute to your success—to your starting and finishing that goal you have. If anything, they’re a bottom feeder on your progress, publicly supportive but privately eating away at your wellbeing.

A cheerleader is a steady backdrop of positivity. Not always “accurate” but always necessary, they show up and cheer you on, regardless of circumstances.

As creatives, as change-makers, and passionate and motivated leaders, we need at least one cheerleader. More are better. One is a good start.