Compliments.

Today, we brought a motion for attorney's fees following a trial I won a little while ago. After the court awarded over $100,000 in fees and another approximately $10,000 in costs, the judge complimented me several times for conducting an organized and clear trial and making clear what seemed at first to him (before trial) to be a "very confusing money story." I don't know if judges receive such training in their "judges' college", but they almost invariably dole out kudos following a trial. It's a nice touch, and good for the clients (and counsel) to hear.

Often people are stingy with compliments in the workplace or otherwise. It doesn't take much to make someone's day, and it really costs nothing--only sincerity. Leaders know this.