Most of this may have to do with what some companies like Wal-Mart have already found out about natural human behavior. It is often the direct supervisor that is responsible for treatment levels. Sometimes this conflicts with their natural tendencies to maintain their own position.

I have always told new employees that I will not treat them equally, but I do pledge to treat them fairly. As human beings, we have to accept that each person is a unique individual, with a unique background, skills, and pesonality. Each person learns differently and is motivated differently. An inflexible cookie cutter mentality or management style simply won't produce optimum results.

When you have so many top-down hierarchical management style cultures abounding, it is difficult to reward the best performers adequately. However, with a circular organizational management culture, it is easier to capture who the real rock stars are because there really are no layers and visibility is easy.

-Mark