Does it ever feel like you are working in the pounding surf? You struggle to keep your footing, but get to your feet, only to be knocked down by the next wave? If this sounds like your working day, then you are certainly not alone.

Hardly a day goes by without some gloomy news from the UK high street of some major brand in difficulty, a depressed economy and reduced consumer confidence. Community pharmacy is not immune from such challenges and we are all under pressure to perform in a tough and competitive marketplace. We have a reduced income from prescriptions, but also an increased volume of them, as well as more services to deliver and increasingly demanding customers. All this is happening as the role of the pharmacist is evolving and changing – no wonder it sometimes feels tough.

There was a movie called Multiplicity with Michael Keaton, in which his character clones himself so that he can get more work done and have time to spend with his family and enjoy himself. Not surprisingly, things don’t go well, and chaos ensues. While running around like there are several of you is clearly not a solution, the movie demonstrates the link between being under pressure and low employee morale.

We will explore this further in this section: how low morale occurs and its toxic consequences. We will also look at how you, as a leader, can help prevent this and help your team to perform – and to thrive.