To retain top performers and maximize their value to the organization, managers must tap the creativity, energy and hopes of their people. Discovering your employees' needs and engaging in a conversation about how those needs will be met is a powerful way to turn the manager-employee relationship into a high-performance engine.

I was recently interviewed by Investors Business Daily. Morey Stettner wrote a tremendously useful article. Interaction Associates has been teaching this material for nearly 40 years, so there are no revolutionary concepts here. But it never hurts to offer a refresher.

You're fired! . . . Ever notice The Apprentice isn't really about teams?

Evidence is mounting that high employee engagement leads to better business results.