One of my employees was going through a difficult time financially but never asked for help. I knew he wouldn't accept personal money from me, so I invented a small "performance bonus" and arranged it through my own pocket rather than company funds.
He was so proud when I told him. He thanked me for recognizing his work and said it motivated him. The uncomfortable part is that he actually did become one of our strongest employees afterward. He still mentions that bonus as the moment he realized his work had value. I've never told him the award didn't exist.