“If you ever find a man who is better than you are – hire him. If necessary, pay him more than you pay yourself.”
Advertising legend David Ogilvy endures not only as the original Mad Man, but also as one of modern history’s most celebrated creative leaders in the communication arts. From The Unpublished David Ogilvy (public library) — the same compendium of his lectures, memos, and lists that also gave us 
Ogilvy’s 10 no-bullshit tips on writing, his endearing memo of praise to a veteran copywriter, and his list of the 10 qualities of creative leaders — comes a chapter titled “Principles of Management,” based on a 1968 paper Ogilvy wrote as a guide for Ogilvy & Mather managers worldwide.
In a section on morale, he admonishes that some companies “have been destroyed by internal politics” and offers seven ways to curtail them:
- Always be fair and honest in your own dealings; unfairness and dishonesty at the top can demoralize [a company].
- Never hire relatives or friends.
- Sack incurable politicians.
- Crusade against paper warfare*. Encourage your people to air their disagreements face-to-face.
- Discourage secrecy.
- Discourage poaching.
- Compose sibling rivalries.
* Though Ogilvy was writing decades before email, the same applies with equal urgency to today’s electronic warfare.