Thanks to P. G. Wodehouse.

"It is not easy to explain to the lay mind the extremely intricate ramifications of the personnel of a Hollywood picture  organization... The chief executive throws out some statement of opinion, and then looks about him expectantly. This is the cue for the senior Yes-Man to say yes. He is followed, in order of precedence, by the second Yes-Man -- or Vice-Yesser, as he is sometimes called -- and the junior Yes-Man. Only when all the Yes-Men have yessed, do the Nodders begin to function. They nod."

And it works at all levels and types of authority, all forms of yes (sometimes the word "no" is used), and with a variety nodding styles.