You sound like you’ve somehow missed the chapter on how the world works. Coddled people are often unhappy because their parents taught them they were the center of the universe and they tie praise and trophies to self worth. Did them a horrible disservice. The happiest people are the ones who are thrilled to contribute to a great cause and the last thing they need or want is praise. The respect and connection with ones in the trenches with them is the reward that matters.