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Here are five choice articles from the business press to start off your workweek. I'm pointing you to articles about observations of a CEO, the challenge of rising oil prices in many industries, CEO getting fired faster, observations of fired CEOs, and the world's most reputable companies.

Last week's newsletter was "Choose new bosses wisely." As usual there were pointers to Web and Reading Resources, too.

From the Wall Street Journal: Home Depot Chief Renovates
"When Frank Blake became Home Depot Inc.'s chief executive 18 months ago, he found himself saddled with a renovation project. The U.S. housing boom was grinding to a halt and the home-improvement retail chain had lost market share to Lowe's Cos., which had gained a reputation for more responsive customer service and stores that were easier to navigate. Mr. Blake, who had been Home Depot's executive vice president of business development, took over from Robert Nardelli, who had spent billions of dollars building up a wholesale supply business while neglecting stores, and whose top-down management style had demoralized the staff. Despite dwindling home sales, rising costs and limits on spending, Mr. Blake has been making changes in both style and substance. He sold off the wholesale-supply business and plowed money into a centralized distribution system to help keep the right merchandise in stock in the correct quantities. He is also sprucing up the stores and has hired more skilled tradesmen to work the floor, advising customers."

Wally's Comment: This is one of the best interviews with a CEO that I've ever read. A range of issues are covered and Blake's responses are thoughtful and well-phrased.

From the New York Times: Oil Prices Raise Cost of Making Range of Goods
"Companies that make hard goods using raw materials derived from oil are seeing their costs skyrocket and are pondering difficult choices."

Wally's Comment: Airlines and truckers get most of the coverage when it comes to the impact of rising oil prices. But other types of business are affected, too. Read about them in Louis Uchitelle's excellent article.

From Industry Week: More CEOs Exiting Quickly
"Hiring boards' lack of knowledge about executive position candidates could be leading to an increasing number of CEOs leaving their jobs earlier than expected, according to a study released June 3 by Yan Zhang at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Management. Of the 204 company leaders Zhang studied from 1993 to 1998, 55 (27%) left their job within three years."

Wally's Comment: The numbers aren't the story here. The study covers a period that ended a decade ago and more recent studies show the trend to increased exit speed as slowing. So read this piece for some of the analysis, which is excellent.

From Fortune: Lessons of the fall
"What goes up must come down. It's a law of CEO physics. Every year a few star bosses succumb to it and lose their jobs. Most reemerge smoothly a few years later with a new job, an investment fund, or a philanthropy project. But whether it's out of shame or an optimistic focus on the future, few ever discuss what it's like - for a CEO, a spouse, or even the CEO's kids - to survive the fall from a corporate pinnacle. "

Wally's Comment: This is the article you never see, ex-CEOs talking about why they're "ex" and what happens next. The CEOs are Jim Donald (Starbucks), Ed Zander (Motorola), and David Neelman (JetBlue).

From Forbes: The World's Most Reputable Companies
"If there was a clear link between savvy business and popularity, Toyota would be this spring's prom queen. In the latest study from the Reputation Institute, a private, New York City-based research and consulting firm, the Japanese automaker is ranked No. 1 on a list of the 600 largest companies in the world for having the best reputation. Toyota was ranked No. 6 last year and in 2006. "

Wally's Comment: This is Forbes' annual reputation beauty contest. It's another one of those pieces that's more helpful for the analysis than for the actual list.

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.