One advantage of running your own business is that it is only you putting pressure on yourself! All too often, particularly in my line of work, I see people broken by the way they have been treated by senior managers and colleagues who have an agenda that certainly has nothing to do with the wellbeing of their victim.

I am frequently astonished at the short-sighted nature of people who do not seem to figure out that firstly they are making someone ill and secondly that they are creating a problem for themselves when this broken individual goes on long-term sick leave and others have to pick up the workload.

Everyone in a working environment needs both support and encouragement. Those who claim that their "door is always open" are often never behind it or if they are make themselves completely unapproachable. Every business tends to have a particular culture, that is either uplifting and supportive or distinctly unhealthy from a psychological perspective. There is only ONE person accountable for the culture of a workplace, and that is the "top banana". He is the one who sets the policy and makes the directives. The attitude he shows to his "generals gets passed right down the chain of command to the shop floor.

This principle applies universally to every organization. Why does it matter? It boils down to money. People who are managed better and treated properly work harder and smarter and generate more money. You can have every other aspect of the business right, but if you are not treating your good people right and recognising their efforts, your business will be out-performed by businesses that are.

A well-known supermarket chain last year lost its' long held title of the friendliest colleagues to Sainsbury's as a direct result of issuing foolish and contradictory directives. Unfortunately the lessons were not learned and the issues were not properly addressed, and the head office continues to be out of touch with the realities of the shop-floor.

Any good reputation, however long-held, is not immortal. I have seen reputations go from good to bad and vice-versa due solely to whether the leadership is complacent or proactive, competent or incompetent, arrogant or listening. Any good leader must be open enough for his generals and their lieutenants to say it how it is without being marked down for doing so.

Understanding and catering for the needs of people is a key factor in business success. This is why we should all be civil to everyone, even if others around us are not - you'll be more successful and make more money.