yes men
Toadies around bosses
Yes men is the plural of yes-man—a person who agrees with everything a superior says, offering no independent judgment or pushback.
The term is almost always derogatory, implying spinelessness or careerism: He surrounded himself with yes men who never challenged his bad ideas.
The behavior suggests prioritizing approval over honesty.
Servile flatterer of superiors
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- flunkeyServile attendant or follower
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
groveler · brownnoser · minion · stooge · puppet · doormat · henchman · acolyte
Extravagant, servile praise
- praiseExpression of approval
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
unctuous · smarmy · sweet-talk · buttering up · smooth-talking · ingratiating · pandering · kowtowing
Self-reinforcing information environment
- herd mentalityTendency to follow crowds
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- unanimityComplete group agreement
- consensusGeneral group agreement
bandwagon · conformity · orthodoxy · homogeneity · assimilation · rubber-stamping · uncritical · unquestioning
Compliance with authority
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- submissionYielding to another's will
docility · meekness · passivity · capitulation · yielding · assent · consent · amenability
bootlicker
Servile flatterer of superiors
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- flunkeyServile attendant or follower
fawner · groveler · brownnoser · minion · stooge · puppet · doormat · henchman · acolyte · suck-up
adulation
Extravagant, servile praise
- praiseExpression of approval
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
fawning · unctuous · smarmy · sweet-talk · buttering up · smooth-talking · ingratiating · pandering · kowtowing · servile
echo chamber
Self-reinforcing information environment
- herd mentalityTendency to follow crowds
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- unanimityComplete group agreement
consensus · bandwagon · conformity · orthodoxy · homogeneity · assimilation · rubber-stamping · uncritical · unquestioning · collective agreement
obedience
Compliance with authority
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
submission · docility · meekness · passivity · capitulation · yielding · assent · consent · amenability · tractability
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
- celebrity entouragebodyguard, bodyguards, assistant, assistants, manager
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
yes mendissenters
Opponents of prevailing views
naysayers · contrarians · critics · devil's advocates · objectors
yes menfreethinkers
Independent-minded questioners of orthodoxy
free spirits · nonconformists · iconoclasts · mavericks · critical thinkers
yes menstraight shooters
Forthright, honest individuals
truth-tellers · honest brokers · whistleblowers · loyal opposition · court jesters