Usually there is some leeway between being a yes man and being painted negative. Sometimes it is not even about the message but how you deliver it. Vitriolic cr

Usually there is some leeway between being a yes man and being painted negative. Sometimes it is not even about the message but how you deliver it. Vitriolic criticism and a valuable suggestion of improvement may differ only in wording. In an ideal world it wouldn't matter but people do have egos and sometimes it is worth to sweeten the message. Some people call it "soft skills", others call it "spray painting the turd" and my advice to the latter is not to use this wording during meetings :)