Successful Leadership in a Week: Teach Yourself

by Carol A. O'Connor

Leadership In A Week is a simple and straightforward guide to leadership success, giving you everything you need to know in just seven short chapters. From inspiring others and gaining their support, to setting priorities, giving direction and making decisions, you'll explore your inner resources and discover your untapped leadership qualities.

This book introduces you to the main themes and ideas of leading, giving you a basic knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, together with practical and thought-provoking exercises. Whether you choose to read it in a week or in a single sitting, Leadership In A Week is your fastest route to

- Self-awareness
- Understanding people
- Communication
- Authority and power
- Making decisions
- Connecting and linking
- Vision and inspiration

ABOUT THE SERIES
In A Week books are for managers, leaders, and business executives who want to succeed at work. From negotiating and content marketing to finance and social media, the In A Week series covers the business topics that really matter and that will help you make a difference today. Written in straightforward English, each book is structured as a seven-day course so that with just a little work each day, you will quickly master the subject. In a fast-changing world, this series enables readers not just to get up to speed, but to get ahead.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2012

Reviews

[Aisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic Details:

Title: Leadership in a Week
Author: Carol A. O’Connor
Genre: Self-Help
Date Started / Finished: 5/7/25 - 12/7/25
Number of Pages: 95
Why did I choose this book? It just made me curious about how one can increase their leadership skills in a week.

Summary / Key Insights:

Breaking down leadership skills into 6 Skills -

1. Developing awareness
The need for introspection of the self
Importance of personal development (skills, knowledge, and experience)

2. Understanding people
Not inspiring, but look for ways of motivation where they want to do it instead
Care for the different tier needs of colleagues
Three patterns of behaviour

3. Power and authority
Types of Power
Styles of Leadership
Stages of Leadership
Delegation

4. Communication
Listening
Speaking
Social
Discussion

5. Decision making
Urgency, Importance,
Clear and realistic goals, Testing the options

6. Creating a vision
The difference between a leader and a manager
Looking at the big picture makes one realise flaws overlooked

Personal Reflection:
It made me interconnect my bosses based on their leadership styles and my colleagues based on their patterns of behaviour.

Author’s Approach:
The author uses a confident tone and simple language to state his intentions. He relies on evidence, experience and logic to state his statements. I trust the author because it feels right to me.

Application:
I will engage in regular introspection. Take initiatives often. Observe my surroundings more closely and note the various cues. I can practice these 6 skills more often.

Rating:
5/5
Did I clearly understand the main ideas or story? Yes
Was the book engaging or enjoyable to read? Yes
Did I learn something new or gain a new perspective? Yes
Was the content (or story) well-organised and easy to follow? Yes
Did the author provide good examples or evidence (nonfiction)? Yes
Would I recommend this book to someone else? Yes
Did the book meet the goal I had when I started reading it? Yes
Was there at least one idea or moment that stuck with me? Yes
Did the book make me think, reflect, or feel something meaningful? Yes
10. Would I consider re-reading it someday? Yes

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review