Apparently, 49% of British workers would be prepared to accept a pay cut if only they could work for a better manager.

Is good management learned in school or college? (probably not). Is it learned in business school? (almost definitely not!). Or is it simply the ability, or inability, of so many people to put themselves in the shoes of others? And if so, is it learned from parents, or are you born to it? To me, man-management is common sense. Here are some practical principles:

1. Train the employee thoroughly. Make it clear what the job entails and what is expected.
2. Delegate and trust them.
3. Always have your office door open to give advice and field problems.
4. Be positive and give praise where due. Tearing people off a strip is seldom effective,
and rule by fear is a dead end.
5. Regularly ask your employees how they view their jobs and what they think could be usefully changed.
6. Be considerate about family problems and illness, but let it be known that cheating will not be tolerated. Be Firm but friendly.
7. Use the annual review to encourage where you can.
8. Address complaints – from customers and your own staff – and be seen to do it promptly.

Management requires both leadership, empathy and a fundamental conviction that you are simply the leader of a team of equals. What has this to do with Epicureanism? Everything. It is at the root of everything Epicurus taught.