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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.

Oh, my friends, my fellow managers, I fear I am dying of compliance fatigue. I have not another form or report left in my quivering soul. Soon I will be going off the clock forever. But do not weep for me.

I have had wonderful life. I have lived from the days when phones had dials and there were human operators. I saw computers chained in air conditioned rooms, guarded by the fabled priests of MIS and fed punch cards.

The computers have broken free. Now they live among us in secret places, in our phones and briefcases and the locks on our hotel room doors. And even more do they crave information.

But listen to me, my friends. I have but little time and I want to tell you the grand secret. Lean close, shut off your cell phone, and listen.

The grand secret is this: success is about people and people have not changed much since they hunted mastodons for food and thought that fire was the hot new technology. Pay heed, my friends, it is people who will make you successful.

The Wondrous Etienne, Swiss HR Priest, has allowed me these few moments with you before I must go off the clock forever. As you know when I am off the clock I cannot work.

His rules are hard my friends. He asks me to distill the learning of a lifetime into five points.

But I have withstood budget cuts. I have fought off attorneys in wrongful discharge lawsuits. And I am ready.

If you would manage well remember you have two jobs. Accomplish your mission through your group. And care for your people.

If you would manage well, show up a lot. Become known to your people and they to you. Use each occasion as an opportunity to coach, counsel, encourage and correct.

If you would manage well, make communication your watchword. Strive to set clear and reasonable expectations for your people. Check for understanding. Follow up to assure that understanding finds expression in action.

If you would manage well, remember that there are no magic spells or incantations. You cannot see into the head of a subordinate and motivate with a spell. There is no potion that will cure bad attitude. You have but the behavior you control, what you say and do, to influence the behavior and performance of others.

If you would manage well, feed your people on the manna of praise and recognition. If there is magic in management it is the praise that establishes values and encourages change and growth.

I must go now, dear friends. Remember that you are the spirit guides to your people's success and growth. You are the one who helps them become happy and productive. Do not shirk your duties.

It is time. The somber organ music swells. The chorus sings the song of my days. I have signed my last performance evaluation. Manage well my sweet ones. And good-bye.

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.