Seven Core Values To Become An Impactful Leader is built around the idea that true leadership grows from personal values rather than titles or authority. Dr. Elliott Gomez uses the acronym I-L.E.A.D.E.R. to lay out seven values: Integrity, Learning, Excellence, Accountability, Determination, Empathy, and Respect. Each chapter mixes definitions, stories from his military and academic life, and practical exercises. It reads part memoir and part workbook. The flow is deliberate, almost like attending a structured workshop, with prompts to reflect and steps to practice each value in real life.

I found myself pulled in by the directness of his writing. It is not heavy with theory. Instead, it feels personal, almost like advice from a mentor who has lived what he teaches. The way he blends military rigor with everyday applications makes it easy to relate, whether you are in business, education, or just trying to be better in daily life. At times, I felt inspired. Other times, I paused and asked myself if I was really living up to these values. That balance of encouragement and challenge is what made the book stick with me.

What stood out most was the way he treats softer values like empathy and respect with the same weight as accountability and excellence. I liked that. Too many leadership books chase efficiency and results while brushing aside the human element. Dr. Gomez does not. He makes you think about how leadership feels to the people you are leading. The exercises can feel a little formal at times, but they give the book a hands-on quality that pushes you beyond reading into actually doing. That made it more than just another book on leadership for me.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow as a leader in a way that goes deeper than skills and strategies. It is especially good for people in the early stages of leadership who want a solid foundation, and for seasoned leaders who feel the need to reconnect with the heart of why they lead. It is not flashy or filled with quick tips, but it offers something rarer: a grounded, values-driven guide that feels both personal and practical.

Pages: 308 | ASIN: B0FLVDMB8J