Two conversations tonight had me thinking about what makes a good (or bad) manager, and more widely about what work means to our lives. Firstly I was speaking with an old colleague, who is now a good friend about work-life balance. We concluded that it’s okay to work all the hours God sends if the job you do is something you are passionate about and interested in. If you wake up each day excited to go to work, then you probably wouldn’t mind working long into the evening on that same job, although perhaps not every night.

I believe that we should all do, or at least be working towards, a job that makes us feel this way. I think that’s how you find happiness in life. Even if you don’t earn as much as you perhaps could in a job which makes you unhappy!

The other conversation took place late at night in a central London office of one of my close friends. I can’t name this friend for reasons of anonymity. You see, I think this person has a bad manager. What kind of company keeps a potentially vulnerable person in an office, alone, late at night when a client of the opposite sex will be in the building late into the night? Really I think it’s irresponsible. In situations like this, there should at least be another member of staff around, even if it’s just to make sure that if any problems arise they can be dealt with. So I decided to keep this friend company, and thus missed my TV programme (iPlayer here we come)!

What makes a good manager? Any manager will surely be more successful in his role if he spends time making the people he manages feel at ease. Feel at ease enough to mention when there are problems, not to feel afraid of rapprochement for speaking out – where appropriate of course. And they should spend a portion of their time thinking openly and honestly about how they can be better in their jobs. Making people work bank holidays, even when there is no real work that needs doing – effectively making their staff show that they’re committed despite the fact that there’s no work, will kill the morale of their staff quickly. As will keeping your staff late into the night without urgent need to do so.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in hard work. I’m completely happy to work long, long hours, weekends and bank holidays if necessary to get a project finished. I believe in delivering on promises and doing the best quality work that I can. But to get the best out of our staff, managers should make an effort to make their employees feel valued.