I think honesty is probably the best approach to treat someone in a long-term environment like workplace.

I’ve encountered companies that follow words from best-selling books too closely: “Okay, I am going to put a small gift on my employee’s table everyday so they will become grateful and loyal to the company,” “I will forgive my employee’s mistakes over and over so they will stop making mistakes and appreciate my generosity”, “I will do menial jobs in front of my employees so that it will have a snowball effect,” and “I will keep asking aloof employees to eat with me to show how much I care about them.”

Honestly, what I write above are wonderful things to have at workplace. But lets face it. People are random. Some people behave exactly what you expected. Other people behave opposite and get annoyed to have lunch with you. When you force those “exemplary” behaviors, and things do not turn out as expected, it is only a human nature to become angry and disappointed. That is when your frustration toward the specific employee taints the atmosphere, and that employee will probably act against your company interests.

Rather, lets be honest with everything. No more surprises for employees. Treating someone with honesty makes people feel like they are treated as humans and not subject to cheap manipulations. It is great to be extra nice, but lets not expect everything given to be returned. Employees will appreciate the honesty much more and decide to stay when they are really needed.