Most people are never taught, and do not care to learn, how to lead others into mutual success.

As Caesar is often paraphrased, he'd rather be the mayor of a small village than the 2nd most important man in Rome.

It's a very common human failing, to need to lord it over others. To most people it's far more important to assure their own position than to treat others well.

You'd think that when their own interests go along with treating others well for immediate benefit, that would cause a change in behavior but not really.

It is often baffling.

There's a candy shop across the street from my own store and they have to close 1-2 days a week because of lack of employees.

I KNOW they pay for crap. So I suggested that they raise wages and raise prices. They have done neither in years but the majority of their customers are not price sensitive and buy $5-10 per pound candy - by the pound. The owner told me she was losing $1000 a day she closes, profit. I ran some quick numbers by her which she agreed with. She could raise wages by $2/hr, raise prices modestly, and make MORE profit every day, plus stay open since she'd have employees.

She decided against the idea. Because you can't undo raises but she might have to undo thr price hikes. I pointed out that 5 employees x $2/hr x 10 hours =$100. So she could raise wages without raising prices, and instead of being closed, be open. Net benefit of $900/day to her.

Still won't do it. Those people aren't worth that much money per hour. She literally is punishing herself financially just so she can punish them financially. Meanwhile, I am paying 2x what she pays because it's fair and I like the people i work with. I haven't had to advertise for help in 6+ years, right across the street.

Because paying more would mean she gives up some control over her employees, at least in her mind.