Subscribe to the Three Star Leadership Blog

The Working Supervisor's Support Kit is a collection of information and tools to help working supervisors do a better job. It's based on what Wally's learned in over twenty years of supervisory skills training.

For weekly tips and resources pointers, check Wally's Three Star Leadership Letter

Find out more about having Wally speak to your company or convention.

Find out more about Wally's coaching services.

Here we go with a look at this week's business blogs. So fire up your browser. Start by checking out the most recent Carnival of the Capitalists. Then click over to posts on how to sell even if you're a shy person, change, what managers are really responsible for, a look at what makes for engaged employees, and a look at the attitudes of employees who may not be as engaged as you'd like.

From Business Pundit: The Introvert's Guide to Selling
"Now I admit, upfront, I hate selling. I've been in positions where I had to make cold calls, and within 5 minutes my shirt is soaked with sweat from the awkward stumbling I do on the phone. But it really doesn't matter what I like or don't like - what matters is whatever needs to be done. So if you are like me, introverted, preferring to spend time alone, easily bored by chit-chat and small talk, but you want to learn to sell, this post is for you. Over the years I have learned a few things, and while I am not by any means a good salesperson, I'm not a total klutz at it either. Save this post, and use it as a survival guide for an unpleasant task that you must learn to do."

Wally's Comment: I consider this post a public service.

From Steve Roesler: Change: Nah, I'd Rather Die. Really.
"It turns out that factual information simply isn't enough to bring about a life-saving lifestyle change. The same holds true for organizations. You can lay out all of the facts, watch heads nod in sincere agreement, hear someone say, 'Hey, we should get right on that!', and things continue as usual. In business we get paid to be 'business-like.' That means being rational and letting the numbers speak for themselves. Everyone should get it. Well, they do. But the numbers don't touch the heart in a way that prompts desire. It's kind of like going out on a date, looking into the other person's eyes and saying, 'You are, without a doubt, 90% better than the last 8 dates I've had. I think that even tonight's experience could be more exciting by 50% if we could see each other 4 more times. I have 3 nights open this month and one next month. So that can work. I'm sure you can see the potential and added value of multiple dates, going forward.'"

Wally's Comment: This is part seven of Steve's series on change. Check out his other posts while you're visiting the blog.

From Ask a Manager: what are managers responsible for?
"What are managers responsible for? It sounds simple, but all too often people can't give a comprehensive answer."

Wally's Comment: This is very basic which is why it's very good.

From Shawn Graham at Fast Company: Rules of Engagement
"So what’s a manager to do? The easy answer is to keep the engaged employees engaged, engage the not-engaged, and find a way to reach, or get rid of, the actively disengaged. The results of the survey underline a point I heard Jim Runde, Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley, make during a recent presentation to a group of job seekers at the firm’s worldwide headquarters in New York last week. “Who you work with is more important than were you work.” As Runde put it, it’s the micro issues (immediate supervisor didn’t have their back, didn’t get along with the team, etc.) that cause people to check out. Working for a great company, or even paying employees big salaries, isn’t enough to keep today’s workers engaged. As a manager, how do you combat those micro issues?"

Wally's Comment: An excellent post that proves once again that hardly anyone gets elephant bites these days. It's those little gnat bites that eat you up.

From Kris Dunn at HR Capitalist: Why Your Employees Don't Care About Company Results...
"Of course, they should... But do they? If they don't think it impacts them? As often is the case, sports provides a rare, unfiltered "window to the soul" when it comes to what is going through the minds of employees. This week, Manny Ramirez, star outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, held court with the press and offered up the following calming words related to the "Sox" being on the verge of elimination, down 3-1 in the American League Championship Series (ALCS)."

Wally's Comment: This is a wonderfully written post that uses the statements of a star baseball player to illuminate the attitudes of workers everywhere, including your company.

Wally's Working Supervisor's Support Kit is a collection of information and tools to help working supervisors do a better job. It's based on what Wally's learned in over twenty years of supervisory skills training. Click here to check it out.

Request your free copy of "Meeting the Challenges of the Boomer Brain Drain: An integrated approach."

Wally Bock has helped people learn to be great bosses for more than a quarter century. His latest book, Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership, makes learning key leadership principles almost effortless by teaching through a story and providing lists of resources for further growth.

Click here to find out more about Wally's coaching services.

For weekly tips and resources pointers, check our Wally Bock's Three Star Leadership Letter.

Click here to find out more about having Wally speak to your company or convention.