When Fair Can Be Unfair

I once read of a study with primates that seemed to prove that they demand fairness in the interactions. Certainly among humans, being fair is a part of our social contract with each other.

In managing, however, what seems to be fair on the surface is not only ineffective, but when one thinks it through, unfair. I'm speaking of consequences that vary by individual.

Good managers realize that different types respond differently to different stimuli. Thus they may reprimand one employee seemingly more harshly than another for the same offense. I submit that this is more fair than responding similarly.

Why? The ultimate objective, if not responsibility, of a manager is to help an employee be successful in his position. If a manager does otherwise, it is unfair. Is it not? Thus, in using the tool, in this case the type of reprimand, that a manager deems to be most likely to be successful given the individual, then the manager is being more fair.