When I saw the title of this book on NetGalley - I was immediately intrigued. How can one become a leader in just 30 days? The short answer is: you can't! Brad Dude's book is aimed at folks who have recently been promoted or developed an awareness that they don't quite have the skills they need to be an effective leader (or maybe even manager). The book is intended to accompany a course -- online or in person -- lead by the author's consulting firm. While the Kindle version of the book is just $5.99 -- I could find no pricing or schedule for the training course. Neither did I uncover information about accreditation or recommendations of the course online.

Basically - this book is a very long syllabus-cum-power point slide notes with plenty of inspirational quotes sprinkled through. I'm currently taking a course on "Effective Leadership & Management" through UC Berkeley Extension, and it covers everything in this book (and more) with one exception: the author's proprietary temperament system which divides everyone in to Earth, Air, Fire and Water. I could find no references to research to support his temperament studies, but he does have a lengthy career in consulting, as do the other instructors for his program.

The book provides an overview of some current and "oldie but goodie" leadership and management concepts and theories. The author relies heavily on a "Situational Leadership Model" developed by his colleague Ken Blanchard.

The rest of the material in the book is derivative -- referencing many works that are secondary at best (such as Kouzes and Posner's "The Leadership Challenge"). Some of the more well known sources referenced include John Maxwell, Robert Greenleaf (Servant Leadership), Daniel Goleman (Emotional Intelligence), Bruce Tuckman (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning) as well as good ole "Maslow's Hierarchy." He very briefly (about 4 or 5 pages) touches on conflict, relying on the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (which has been criticized as being out-dated due to lack of consideration for cultural differences and stress, for example).

At the end, there's a day-by-day breakout for a 30-day plan with assignments and required reading (much of it Dude's own books or unlisted). The references page is brief, about 9-10 works (none of the quotes are footnoted in the book).

As a primer for someone new to the world of leadership and management concepts and ideas -- this won't hurt you but honestly, it's not a great stand-alone book. There are plenty of good materials out there that offer a greater depth and insights for those who are not taking this Quick Leadership course. I appreciate the positive, upbeat tone and I wholly support the author's mission to help spread the ideas of effective leadership and emotional intelligence to others and only wish him well on his journey!