“You want us to open a branch office on Mars in four weeks with a $50 budget?

Yes sir!” Even though the Yes Person is generally a sales person turning over this project to a project manager, there are those project managers out there that fall into this personality type as well.

These are the project managers that run a planning meeting like this:

PROJECT MANAGER (PM): I have committed us to building a branch office on Mars in four weeks with a $50 budget. Now how much will it cost and when do you think you can be done?

TEAM MEMBER (TM): We need a bigger budget!

PM: Gee, I have already committed to $50. I can't go back and ask for more money.

TM: We need more time!

PM: The boss is already expecting four weeks. Can't we do it by then?

DEJECTED TM: I guess it will take four weeks and $50.

PM: Great, I will write the project plan!

By now, hopefully, the “It is what it is” methodology is sinking in. The Yes Person project manager should be the one challenging the sponsor and bringing in some realism. A quick statement like, ‘Wow, four weeks and $50? Let me take that to the team and see what we can come up with” can allow you proper planning time. Don't just automatically agree; if you do, you might become the Yes Person to another company.