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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.

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Here are five juicy and interesting posts from the business blogs this week. I'm pointing you to posts about dealing with underperforming Millennials, when to leave a job, firing well, rewards systems, and the role of the manager in creating meaning.

From Fistful of Talent: How Do You Deal With A Millennial Who Can't Hack It?
"How do you treat a Millennial who can't hack it from a work perspective? Do you get them a life coach? A new iPod? Go all Stuart Smalley and tell them "gosh darn it, people like you!"?"

Wally's Comment: This post doesn't just have value itself. It can serve as an introduction to Kris Dunn's new blog: Fistful of Talent. I've already put it on my list of blogs to check every day.

From Michael Wade at Execupundit: When to Flee
"There are times when it makes no sense to stay in an organization. I've met people who've spent years trying to change the unchangeable when their best option would have been to move to a better environment. These are some indicators that it might be wise to plan an escape."

Wally's Comment: This post represents Michael Wade at his best, putting lots of wisdom in a very small space. It reminds me of the advice I got from a friend years ago, that fighting for the right was a good thing, but that if you wanted a long career it was good to choose the flag you were willing to die for.

From Ask a Manager: confession: I used to suck at firing people
"This is a weird thing to admit, but I think I'm pretty good at firing people. I've written in the past about how I think firing should be done, but I'm not here to brag about this (if indeed it's socially acceptable to brag about such a thing, which I'm pretty sure it's not) ... I'm here to confess my secret shame, which is that the first time I had to do it, I was a disaster and totally oblivious to the advice that I now chant like some sort of weird mantra to other managers."

Wally's Comment: Firing should not be easy or fun but every manager who is effective must do it. I'm with Ask a Manager. I look back on the manager-me in the beginning and I am struck with horror at how inept I was.

From Ann Bares at Compensation Force: Seeking Balance in Your "Portfolio" of Rewards
"When considering an organization's overall reward program, I find it helpful to look at total rewards as a portfolio of sorts. Like the elements of a sound investment portfolio, each reward element can and should be designed to accomplish a specific objective or purpose. Taken together, there should be a sense of balance in the design and interaction of the different reward plans. "

Wally's Comment: This is a real thought starter. It will help you get a feel for whether your reward system is capable of doing what you want it to do.

From Madeline McGrath on Tom Peters' blog: So, Work Really Does Matter
"I am left wondering, in today's world of Brand You, whether the challenge of finding meaning in one's work should be down to the employee herself. Surely it is up to each of us to make the connections and to discover for ourselves the purpose in what we are employed to do? It would be great if leaders could do this for us, but since work means different things to each of us, surely we have at least some responsibility to do this for ourselves?"

Wally's Comment: This is a provocative post by itself. But the number of thoughtful comments will also get you thinking about the boss's role in establishing meaning (or not).

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.

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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.