For some managers, navigating one-on-one relationships with direct reports may feel like a tricky needle to thread. You get all kinds of advice with a common theme that has something to do with “a line” and where you should draw it.

Our advice from Chapter 3 of Managing to Make a Difference is … erase the line.  We say there doesn’t have to be a line at all and that, in fact, drawing a line can diminish your ability to motivate, engage and retain your top performers.

Listen in on our podcast on this topic, as Larry and I swap stories with our friend and colleague, Kesha Harris, about how managers who get closer to their people make a bigger difference for those individuals and for the overall performance of their teams and organizations, in part by inspiring the magic of discretionary effort.

On all our podcasts and blog posts, you have an opportunity to talk back to us through comments and emails. We hope to hear from you! Until next time, manage to make a difference every day!

This is part of a series highlighting excerpts from our new book, Managing to Make a Difference. Next up: Go Ahead, Get Close to Your People. Connect with Kim Turnage and Larry Sternberg on LinkedIn to see the latest blog updates.