In olden days, it was standard practice for an absolute ruler to kill the messenger who brought bad news.

According to Carol Hymowitz in today’s Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119240607692558680.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks), times haven’t changed all that much.

Ms. Hymowitz writes:

“Executives know success in business depends on identifying and fixing problems before they become crises. It is the most basic rule in management: No matter how smart your strategies seem on paper, if you don't know how they're being executed and whether there are urgent problems, you won't be successful.

“The higher executives climb, the less likely they are to know what is and isn't working at their companies. Many are surrounded by yes people who filter information; others dismiss or ignore bearers of bad news.”

Well, nothing new in that. As movie mogul Sam Goldwyn used to say, “I don’t want any yes-men around me. I want people who’ll tell me the truth ....... even if it means their jobs.”