Start With Values by Bradley Hook

In Start With Values, Bradley Hook offers a timely and essential guide to living a more intentional and fulfilling life, one grounded in the authentic power of personal and shared values. Drawing on his extensive experience as an executive coach, resilience researcher, podcaster, and founder of the Values Institute, Hook brings together philosophical inquiry with practical tools, making this book both a reflective companion and a practical manual for values-driven living.

The book is divided into three coherent sections—Discovering Your Values, Living Your Values, and Sharing Your Values—each of which walks the reader through a journey of deep introspection and outward application. In the first section, Hook provides thought-provoking lists and exercises that encourage readers to challenge their assumptions and uncover what truly matters to them. For many, this part may well be revelatory; the exercises are well-crafted to surface latent values that may have been obscured by societal expectations or internalised “junk values”.

The middle section is where the book hits its stride. Hook does not merely encourage readers to know their values—he provides research-backed strategies for integrating them into daily life, especially in times of stress or uncertainty. His emphasis on values-based mindfulness and resilience practices gives this section a particularly robust and practical edge. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and real-world coaching, Hook illustrates how aligning action with values supports mental well-being and long-term satisfaction.

In Sharing Your Values, Hook turns outward, urging readers to bring their values into their communities, workplaces, and relationships. This emphasis on connection and collective flourishing distinguishes the book from more self-centric personal development titles. Hook’s approach is inclusive, encouraging the reader not only to respect the values of others but to cultivate empathy, dialogue, and shared purpose.

Stylistically, Hook writes with clarity and confidence. His tone is accessible without sacrificing intellectual depth, and his use of personal anecdotes—particularly in the introduction—adds credibility and emotional resonance. That said, some early chapters lean heavily into theory, which might feel a little to academic to readers craving immediate application. A greater integration of storytelling in those chapters could have increased engagement and emotional investment.

Nevertheless, Start With Values excels in its practical ambition. The blend of reflection, history, science, and structured exercises makes this a versatile text—equally suitable for a personal growth journey, leadership development, or group discussion. It is a book one can return to repeatedly, whether to re-evaluate evolving priorities or to anchor oneself during periods of change.

In a world saturated with noise and distraction, Hook offers a framework that is not only clarifying but also empowering. By beginning with values, readers are invited to reclaim agency over their lives—and to lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Penguin