Jim Clifton - CEO of Gallup

3 things he would tell managers to maximize the potential of their teams:

1. Understand that your team members have more differences than they do things in common. Do not lead them like troops.
2. Know them by their strengths, not their weaknesses.
3. Make sure they know their personal development is important to you. When you ask them the question - does someone at work encourage my development? The difference in productivity between those who answer yes and those who answer no is "spectacular."