Whether intentional or not, some leaders treat certain employees with a different set of unwritten rules that ultimately leave other employees in the organization resentful and as if their contributions had little value. One of the best examples I can give of this trap is when I worked for management who had a history of hiring his friends to work for him, which often inadvertently turned into favoritism that other employees like me noticed. Sometimes it was as simple as a lunch out where business was discussed, but other times it was more substantial, such as salary and promotional benefits. Wanting to work with people you like is fine, but leaders need to be aware that there should be a standard set of rules for all employees, particularly regarding recognition and