Employees need to know what career paths exist in the firm, and what it takes to become a partner. Not patting employees on the back. Partners expect staffers to work hard but often fail to reward them for it. People leave for firms where devotion is applauded. Employees don't expect a raise for every job well done.
Smart managers look for what their people are doing right and then comment on it.
This boosts employee self-esteem and leads to better performance. Unfortunately, at some firms, the only feedback staff receive is criticism. All my partners ever did was criticize. I started feeling bad about myself, and that carried into my home life as well. When my wife pointed out how negative I had become, I realized where I had learned it and started looking for another job.