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 by Tanmay Vora, Suzi McAlpine, Kevin Eikenberry, Chris Edmonds, and Mary Jo Asmus.

From Tanmay Vora: Journey That Inspires Others

“My journey in life and career is largely inspired by what other generous folks have shared – both online and offline. A boss who believed in me when I didn’t, a book that altered my perspective for better, a few blogs that clarified my thinking one post at a time, an inspiring video that uplifted me, a podcast that I often revisit, a virtual friend who opens a door of possibilities, a family member who guided my perspective about life and the list goes on. When I think of everything that I have received for free, I am only filled with gratitude.”

From Suzi McAlpine: Why observation is a leader’s best friend (and 7 ways you can cultivate it)

“When leaders talk less, listen more – and intentionally watch closely to what is going on around them – they immediately begin to see subtle yet vital details – nuances that enable them to lead more effectively.”

From Kevin Eikenberry: Summer Leadership – Tips for Making Summer Successful for Your Team

“Chances are most people on your team will take a vacation during the summer. As a trainer and consultant for over 25 years, I’ve often dealt with this fact in the summer (‘It will be hard to schedule anything because everyone’s out on vacation.’). It’s a fact, vacations will happen. So how do we use that as a leader? Here are three ways . . .”

From Chris Edmonds: What dysfunctional bands teach us about work culture

“As a working musician, I’ve seen ‘band members behaving badly’ up close and personal. All organizations, including bands, experience a day-to-day work culture that either operates well or poorly in helping that organization succeed while retaining inspired, talented players. What gets in the way of band and workplace harmony?”

From Mary Jo Asmus: Now ask the tough questions

“Minimize asking the questions that can be answered at a surface level like these examples:”

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” points you to choice articles from the business schools, the business press and major consulting firms about strategy, innovation, women and the workplace, and work now and in the future. Highlights from the last issue include corporate strategy decision making, demystified, three articles on retail, Amazon’s robot army fuels expansion, women-only spaces boost female tech entrepreneurs, and the future of jobs and education.

How I Select Posts for this Midweek Review

The five posts I select to share in my Midweek Review of the Independent Business Blogs are picked from a regular review of about sixty blogs I check daily and an additional twenty-five or so that I check occasionally. Here’s how I select the posts you see in this review.

They must be published within the previous week.

They must support the purpose of the blog: to help leaders at all levels do a better job and lead a better life.

They must be from an independent business blog.

As a general rule, I only select posts that stand on their own, no selections from a series.

Also as a general rule, I do not select posts that are either a book review or a book report.

I reserve the right to make exceptions to the above.

Here, on Three Star Leadership, I post things that will help a boss at any level do a better job and live a better life. At the The 360 Degree Feedback blog, I join other bloggers with posts on leadership development. And, at Wally Bock’s Writing Edge, I share tools and insights to help you write better.

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