One small thing that might not actually be small that could make a positive difference is the feedback Richo said he got that he was focusing too much on what they weren't doing well, and not giving enough positive feedback for what they were doing well.
I reckon it's really important he gets that right, as it can be a real drag when someone's like that with you, and it can make what you're doing seem more like a chore, and suck the life and fun out of it, and it also puts you under more pressure, and possibly focusing more on not stuffing up, rather than what you actually want to do, and just focusing all your energy on that.
Reckon Lonie might be one who has been impacted by this. In his first season he was a bit of a "livewire", who did exciting things and had Schneids predicting that he would be a "superstar", but this last couple of years it's been a bit like he's had the life or spark sucked out of him.
I also felt numerous times in the last year or so and commented here previously that I regularly got the vibe from the team that they weren't really enjoying playing footy, that it was more like just a job, and that this might be why they so often folded like a pack of cards, with little resistance, once they started to get well beaten in games.
Was really interesting to hear that one of the things Hardwick did differently this year and probably last preseason was bringing the element of fun and joy back into their footy and training, and I have little doubt it's one of the many reasons they improved so dramatically.
I think it's fair to say that most if not all are going to be a lot more keen/likely to really give their job their all and look to do it really well if they really enjoy it, rather than if it's largely just a chore, that they're not getting much enjoyment from.