A new season of The Apprentice has just started on British television.

While shows about business are to be welcomed – and certainly represent a step forward from the days when the only entrepreneurs on television were negative stereotypes – it is difficult to think of worse role models than Apprentice host Sir Alan Sugar and his American counterpart, Donald Trump.

Their ranting and raving gives a completely false impression of what management is about. To try to compensate for  personal inadequacies by bullying those of inferior status is the mark of a loser, not a leader.

Take it from one who has been privileged to meet a number of great leaders – in politics, war, education, and diplomacy, as well as business, from Margaret Thatcher to Sir John Harvey-Jones, and from Prince Charles to General Sir Peter de la Billiere – they all have one in common: unfailing patience and courtesy.

This is not to go to the other extreme of suggesting that a leader must molly-coddle his subordinates and crawl to them. On the contrary, the leader must be firmly in control.

However, being in control means being calm and displaying that grace under pressure which is the complete opposite of the rudeness and bullying of Sugar and Trump.

Politeness costs nothing – and can actually make it easier to be ruthless.