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panem et circenses
—Juvenal, Satire 10.77–81

You can buy a lot of loyalty and hard work by NOT buying. Save your money for that Panamera. I hear it’s a pretty sweet ride.

​People are needy and look up those in power, however much they may revile them. Reward your staff or people around you (like family and friends) not with money or material goods, but by something more elusive:

RANDOM  ACTS  OF  PRAISE

Never underestimate the power of a pat on the head. It works for dogs and look how loyal they are.

Appearing to give of yourself is the best reward. 

Let's be honest (if we must): people around you are either needy, or self-serving. If the former, a pat on the head is fine. If the latter, they are likely note-taking sycophants who will admire your nerve as you reward their excellence with a few good words (but not too many) and a nod. These fart catchers will fawn and drool over any attention you send their way, and for bonus points, they'll let everyone else know how blessed and grateful they are to have caught your eye.

Don’t worry about watching your back from these flatterers because one of your needy ones will take it in the ribs for you (and clean up the mess after).

Keep those hero biscuits handy.

There's a good dog.

ANGEL:  Would you give guns to someone to kill your father or your mother, or your brother?
PIKE: Ten thousand cuts an awful lot of family ties.
—The Wild Bunch

If you haven’t seen Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch (director’s cut of course), avail yourself. You will see the value of family. While the film itself isn’t about family as such, the quote was convenient for my needs.

Your family is only as important as you find use for them. Sharing DNA is nothing more than that.

And even then, things mutate.

The good news is: they might not see things your way. And despite your obvious douchebaggery, you may well still be loved. Use that.
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Love them or leave them, my family is there for me. To use however I see fit.