From the New Brunswick (as in eastern Canada) Business Journal by Jennifer Newman and Darryl Grigg…

Rather than coffee mugs or key chains, employees actually seek intangible gifts like acknowledgment, appreciation, or credit for a job well done. Other important intangibles include the desire for autonomy and control, doing something meaningful, belonging, and contributing. In contrast, most employees dislike micromanagement. They need to be able to make certain independent decisions about setting priorities, completing work, and schedules. This does not indicate that all choices made by management should be made by consensus. Rather, this means identifying areas where worker control would be beneficial, necessary, and efficient for the overall goals of the company. It can also be advantageous to assist employees in connecting their role to the organization’s mission or mandate. This could involve discussing strategy with employees and helping them understand why the firm makes the decisions it does. To ensure that new employees feel like they belong to the company, managers should be make an effort to fully introduce the new individuals, talk about their role, and express approval of their participation. This is a good time to discuss what employees would like to see happen next year, which could lead to more satisfied workers and improved performance.

Well said. The trinkets are nice but they matter little if there is no leadership.

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