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Independent business blogs are blogs that aren't supported by an organization like a magazine, newspaper, company, or business school. Those people provide lots of great content, but they don't need any additional exposure. In this post, every week, I bring you posts of quality from excellent bloggers that don't get as much publicity.

This week, I'm pointing you to posts on trust, the power of attention, things that keep managers up at night, dealing with blind spots, and family matters

From All Things Workplace: Leading: Complete Trust or Catastrophe?
"I recall a TV program that preceded the 1988 Winter Olympics. It featured blind skiers who were being trained for slalom skiing which, to me, sounded impossible. Matched with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were taught on the flats how to turn left and right."

Wally's Comment: There's no way to describe this post. Just read it. It's worth your time.

From Management Craft: The Power of Interest and Attention - Your Mega Watt Tool for Success
"I am doing some research into the Hawthorne studies (Western Electric Company, 1929-1932, studies so named because the research took place at the plant in Hawthorne, just outside Chicago) and came across this great quote. As you might recall, the Hawthorne studies helped us understand the connections between workplace relationships, morale, and productivity. Interest and attention increases commitment and productivity."

Wally's Comment: Lisa zeroes in on one important lesson from the Hawthorne experiments. Check my "The Multiple Lessons of the Hawthorne Experiments " for background.

From Great Leadership: 10 Things that Keep Managers up at Night….. (and a “sleep aid” for each one)
"Having been a manager for over twenty years, and being in positions that involve working with managers at all levels, here’s what I’ve found to be the top ten issues that can keep a manager up at night. I’ve also included a “sleep aid” for each one."

Wally's Comment: Have trouble sleeping? My guess is that Dan McCarthy has identified at least one of the reasons and the good news is that he's got suggestions on what to do to fix the problem.

From Mary Jo Asmus: What To Do With Blind Spots
"If you receive surprising feedback, it may take you some time to internalize it first before you get to work on it (if you do). Have patience. This can take some reflection. Here are some ways to start."

Wally's Comment: Last week I pointed you to a post by Dan Rockwell about blind spots . Mary Jo Asmus builds on Dan's post with some suggestions about how to react when you're suddenly confronted with one of them.

From Mike Myatt: Family Matters
"For the last post of the year I decided to update a piece I published earlier this year – I also consider it to be the most important work I authored this year…it applies to all of us.  Over the years I’ve come to believe that there is only one sure fire litmus test for measuring leadership success, and to the chagrin of many reading this post, it has little to do with what happens on the job. Today’s post might push a few buttons and test the boundaries of your comfort zone, but if you stick with me, I promise you’ll be glad you did. I’m going to peel back the layers on your personal brand, question your priorities, and quite possibly put a big dent in your carefully crafted professional facade. We’re going to get very personal today – How’s your family life?"

Wally's Comment : Read this. It's important.

That's it for this week's selections from independent business blogs. If you liked this piece you may enjoy my regular post on "Leadership Reading to Start Your Week" which features five choice articles from the business schools, the business press and major consulting firms. The last issue was "Leadership Reading to Start Your Year" I figured that since the fireworks are silent, champagne bottles are in the recycling bin, and there were only about a dozen more bowl games left, it was time to start thinking about the New Year, what's in store, what it means and what you're going to do about it. I shared five looks through the fog and some guesses about the year ahead.

Carnivals and Resource Lists

From Great Leadership: The January 2nd Leadership Development Carnival New Year's Edition

From Leadership Mutt: 10 Workplace Resolutions and Resources to Get You Started!

From Managing Leadership: Twelve excellent blogs for the next twelve months

Here, on Three Star Leadership, I post things that will help a boss at any level do better and live a better life. At Results vs Activities, I join other bloggers with posts on talent development. My blog at the Toolbox for HR is People and the Changing Workplace .

Find out more about my latest book, Ruthless Focus: How to use key core strategies to grow your business or just jump right over to Amazon and buy a few copies.

If you're a boss, you should check out my Working Supervisor's Support Kit.

And be sure to stop by at Weekly Leader where I'll try to get you thinking about The Challenge of the Week.

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.