Even the best people are less than stellar sometimes or in some situations. The best people I’ve hired over the years are great 85% of the time. There’s always little things with everyone.

That said, being a good manager is paying promptly and fully #1. It sounds like you accomplish this. They don’t need to be your buddies but you should try to be personable and not “all business”. Ask about whatever they share with you, if their mom is sick, ask how she’s doing. Having a connection, no matter how small, is very important. Have fun once in a while. Get a box of bagels/donuts/fruit whatever and encourage people to help themselves.

Just curious: you run this out of your house? Is that legal?

“I’m going to pass”

“I can’t get my arms wrapped around it.”

“My partners and I couldn’t for a consensus.”

This hits it on the head. People are stretched and cutting way back, at least for now.