CONTEXT To give a general context, I work in a highly socialized setting that regularly requires telephone and e-mail communication. Much of the "clientele" have high expectations for what my organization basically provides for free(as an NGO Non-Profit).

The male director of the program seems to like me. He and I don't have any beef. When I financially was behind because of accounting issues holding up pay, he was the person to personally get the point and pull out petty cash to spot me for the estimated several days until our checks could clear/be DD'd. This being while the all-female management team either commiserated with me or gave speeches to staff about professionalism when people grumbled about not being paid on time. The guy in charge created solutions, the gals just hurt morale further.

Overall, there is cliquey favoritism as per the usual mostly-female work environment. Management doesn't like me for reasons they don't seem to dislike other staff, so, likely I'm just not projecting alpha with my not-so-imposing tall-n-skinny physique.

There was a particular moment today where something was highlighted in an undeniable way though. One manager who doesn't trust my competence and openly undermines my ability to others told me flat out: "Just tell them what they want to hear". It's a trait that I'm not prone toward. I very much dislike putting myself on the line for things I am not 100% sure I can guarantee. I don't promise what I cannot reasonably provide. I don't easily promise if I think it'll be too difficult or unrealistic to promise.

Yet here she is arguing with me that in order to keep our "clients", we need to tell them what they want to hear even when it's not likely we can provide.

My Question for ATRP: What are the strategic sides and flaws to "Yes" and being a "Yes-man" ?? How does one override an internal nature not to be on the hook for stupid shit that could later lead to finger pointing and "He-said" bullshit?

It's a temporary job coming to an end, but, I want to reduce my grief suffered in the line of duty. I want to also overcome an internal revulsion that poisons work relationships with authority figures that tend to have unrealistic expectations and dislike hearing less than "I've done what you asked + these other things".

At some point, in other jobs, this will factor in. I'd like to work it out if I could.