Just a guess but I think things start to go bad if and when you get to a point where people are afraid to tell you No.
Yup...the "yes men" syndrome. It's the bubble. I live in the Boulder bubble...but I recognize and see it. Wonderful county to live in...all very Liberal. We respect each other...there is a peace with that, but honestly, traveling between California and New York, I haven't seen a disconnect. I need to go South...