Here's my midweek look at the business blogs. This week I'm pointing you to the latest editions of carnivals and posts about lessons of history for business leaders, cranky bosses, credibility, improving your concentration, and fear of success.

Business Pundit hosts the latest edition of Carnival of the Capitalists.

From Management Issues: Niall Ferguson on history and business leadership
"Something of an academic celebrity, Ferguson is a prolific commentator on contemporary politics and economics. In 2004, Time magazine named him one of the world's "100 most influential people". His many acclaimed books include "The Pity of War: Explaining World War One" (Penguin), "The Cash Nexus: Money and Power in the Modern World, 1700-2000" (Penguin), and "Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World" (Penguin)."

From US News and World Report: Cranky Bosses Don't Get the Job Done
"Does mood matter in the workplace? Do cranky bosses make employees more or less productive? Is it better, in other words, to be feared or loved?"

From ExecPundit: Leadership Essential: Credibility
"If I were to pick the one characteristic that is essential to leadership it would be credibility.

From LifeHack: Ten Tips for Razor Sharp Concentration
"Writing to-do lists and keeping a schedule may keep you organized, but does it really help you get more done? I believe that organization is important, but what you really need is focus. Being able to sit down and concentrate intensely on your work for a few hours. Even a half hour of focused effort can get more done than an entire day of distraction and multitasking."

Wally's Comment: Tip 'o the hat to Rob May at Business Pundit. He pointed me to this excellent post.

From All Things Workplace: Fear of Success vs. Fear of Failure
"Let's be honest: All of us have doubts that block us from doing things. It's even socially acceptable to talk about some "fear of failure." But "fear of success?" It's just as real. Being afraid to achieve the very things that we want. How does it happen?"

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