Def is a fine line between running a tight ship to get great results, while maintaining a healthy relationship and running your employees into the ground physically or beating them up mentally.
I'll give an example where, not to say I lost it, but I couldn't take being picked on anymore at work. As I stated in a prior post, I am a laborer for my city. I love my job very much, but like many things, it isn't 100% roses and sunshine. I have many great co-workers and people in managerial roles that are pretty cool. Some of them just tell you what to do and then they leave you be...Won't see them for the rest of the day. Literally. Then there are a few that literally come around multiple times per day because it is just their mentality, and it's like they're trying to catch you slacking off or want to find you making a mistake.
One day I was asked to go to a city building and do some lawn/brush care. I was left with a basic weed whacker that was not meant to do the job, as the grass was thick and I needed something with a serrated edge. About 45 minutes later, my boss comes back to check on my progress and I hadn't made much. The guy basically thought I was being lazy and asked me, "What's the problem? Do you not like to work?" I was basically offended at that point and expressed that had I been left with the proper equipment, the job probably would have been almost done. At any rate, someone eventually showed up to help me and did happen to have the proper tool and we cleared everything in about 20 minutes. I eventually got into a verbal argument with this supervisor of mine some days later because I was sick of having my work ethic insulted. We eventually apologized to one another for the mishap, and the guy has been far better to me as of late, and it's cool. I honestly have no problems taking negative feedback or taking in suggestions as how to be a better, more efficient worker for someone, but when someone insults me or the job I do, especially when I know I am actually trying and honestly not slacking off, that's a soft spot and a low blow for me.
To get back to the main point, I just think it's not necessary to be a d*ck in the workplace. I understand people really want things done, but you don't have to be snooping around on your workers or checking for this and that every hour. My job isn't life and death, so what's the worst that could happen? I forget to cut a small patch of grass outside the city library? I mean, yes, I shouldn't, but it's not the end of the world or will cause someone to die if I accidentally did. I just think some people can handle their managerial duties better in the workplace. I don't think many people want to be best friends with their managers/supervisors, but nobody wants to be treated with ill will either.
However, it's just everywhere, no matter where you go, you will find those fellow employees and managers that will really get on your nerves, no matter how good of a job you do. It's just a part of life. I was used to most people in the workplace getting along with me, saying I was doing a good job, that when someone finally gave me negative feedback, it was like a bit of a shock to me. But you can't please everyone. Someone eventually told me to just do the best you can and that's all that matters. You won't please everyone.