Book Review: The 7 Commitments of a Great Team

Leadership has evolved. It’s no longer about titles or hierarchy—it’s about trust, influence, and connection. That’s why The Seven Commitments of a Great Team by Jon Gordon stands out. This book doesn’t just inspire—it equips. It gives you a practical framework for leading people in a way that builds trust, clarity, and shared purpose, especially when teams feel stretched, disconnected, or uncertain about their direction.

Leadership isn’t confined to boardrooms or org charts. It’s about how you treat people, how you handle pressure, and how you create an environment where others can thrive. Whether you’re leading in business, your home, or your community—people deserve leadership rooted in character. That’s what this book offers: usable, real-world insights for becoming the kind of leader others want to follow.

Gordon starts with what matters most: trust. Without it, a group of people is just that—a group. Not a team. He lays out practical trust-building habits like weekly check-ins where team members share wins and challenges. These small moments become the foundation for deeper connection and accountability.

Another critical takeaway is clarity. Misunderstandings, especially in hybrid or decentralized teams, can derail momentum fast. Gordon emphasizes that it’s not just about having a vision—it’s about repeating it, refining it, and helping people see how they fit into it. Clarity creates ownership.

Then there’s accountability, reframed in a way that’s not about micromanagement—it’s about commitment. He offers a tool I particularly like: personal commitment contracts. Simple, powerful, and effective. People don’t just say what they’re going to do—they put it in writing and own it.

This book is short, sharp, and full of takeaways you can use immediately. Each chapter ends with actionable steps, making it easy to translate principles into behavior. That said, if your team is dealing with deep dysfunction or serious cultural issues, this book may feel like a starting point rather than a full solution.

Still, it’s a book I’d recommend to any leader—new or experienced—who wants to build a team that performs with purpose. The Seven Commitments of a Great Team gives you a language, a structure, and a mindset that’s built for real life—not just the classroom. If leadership matters to you, this is one to keep close.

 

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Episode Transcript

Tim (00:00):
Hey, and welcome back to another episode.
When we talk about leadership, we're not talking about titles.
We're talking about influence, trust, and connection.
And that's why this next book matters.
Today, we're unpacking the seven Commitments of a Great Team by John Gordon, a book that's already making waves in 2025.

(00:24):
Now, I don't say that lightly, but let's face it, today's leaders are managing teams across
time zones, technically, tech stacks and attention spans.
We need more than motivation.
We need real frameworks that work. That's what John brings.

Intro (00:41):
This is Tim Staton with Tim stating the obvious.
What is this podcast about? It's simple.
You are entitled to great leadership.
Everywhere you go, whether it's your church, whether it's to work, whether it's at your house,
you are entitled to great leadership.
And so in this podcast, we take leadership principles and theories and turn them into everyday, relatable and usable advice.

Disclaimer (01:04):
And a quick disclaimer. This show process or service by trademark Trademark, manufacturer otherwise
does not necessarily constitute or imply the endorsement of anyone that I employed by or favors in the representation.
The views are expressed here in my show are my own, expressed and do not necessarily state or
reflect those of any employer.

Tim (01:15):
John Gordon has always had a way of distilling big truths into simple actions.
From the energy bus to the power of positive leadership, his message is consistent leadership
starts from within and in the seven Commitments of a Great Team.
He gives you a playbook for building teams that don't just perform, but endure.

(01:36):
Here's the thing. 2025 didn't simplify leadership at all so far.
If anything, it made it more personal. Teams want more meaning.
They want to be seen, heard and valued, not just managed.
This book hits different because it addresses the exact tension that we're talking about. Gordon's first commitment, trust.

(01:59):
Without it, you don't have a team.
You have a group of people in a zoom room waiting for the meeting to end.
He shares a story about a tech company on the verge of a collapse due to low trust and shows
how they turned it around by prioritizing vulnerability and honest feedback.
Now, let me ask you, when was the last time your team shared a personal why in a meeting?

(02:23):
Not their job description, but their purpose.
If you haven't done it, maybe it's time to start.
Another standout for me is clarity.
When hybrid work blurs expectations, you need more than goals. You need shared understanding.
Gordon talks about a coach who turned a losing streak into a rallying cry by uniting his team behind one Vision.

(02:48):
That's not just about winning. That's about purpose. And purpose drives performance.
What I respect most about this book is that it's practicality.
Each chapter ends with steps you can take tomorrow. And these aren't complicated.
There's pulse checks, shared commitments, and over communication.
Basic stuff that too many leaders overlook.

(03:12):
And that's why I'm stating it, because it's so obvious. It's a great book.
And the stories, they're great. From business to sports.
He shows how universal leadership really is.
What works in a locker room also works in a boardroom, when you know how to connect with people.
That said, if you're knee deep in a toxic team culture, the book may feel a bit clean.

(03:33):
Gordon leans on optimistic, which is great.
But some real leadership problems require a heavier lifting than a one page exercise. Still, the framework works.
And if you bring the right mindset, you can apply it to just about any team in any environment.
But let's bring this down to earth.
You lead a team remotely or in office or hybrid, it doesn't really matter.

(03:56):
What do you do with this book? Start with communication.
Gordon suggests a simple check in once a week, every team member shares one win and one challenge.
It builds trust, it creates a rhythm, and it reminds people that they're not alone. Or take accountability.
Don't just tell people what to do. Build commitment contracts.

(04:16):
Ask your team to write down what they're committing to and have them own it.
Gordon shares how a sales team turned around just by getting clear and keeping each other accountable.
And that is extremely powerful.
So here's your leadership challenge.
Pick one of the seven commitments this week and put it into practice.
Maybe it's clarity, maybe it's service.
Maybe it's building trust with one honest conversation. How about you?

(04:39):
You can also do this.
You can share it with us at Tim stating the obvious on Facebook or Instagram or Axe at Tim stating or seven Commitments challenge.
Lastly, should you read this book?
Yes, if you lead people or want to lead better.
The seven commitments of a great team is worth your time. It's not just theory.

(05:02):
It's action oriented, principle driven, and built for the realities of 2025 leadership.
It's a book you could read solo or even with your team.
And if you're someone who's been following, you know, I really love how you can implement something today.
The whole point of this is that you can hear this episode, you can do something about it and make your life better.

(05:24):
And this book falls into that category.
So grab the book, start a conversation, and most importantly, commit.
But because the teams that win today, they don't need a hero.
They need a leader who knows how to build trust, create clarity, and create shared purpose one commitment at a time.

Intro (05:43):
As always, thank you for stopping by and checking out this episode and listening to it.
I really hope that you enjoyed it.
Before we go, I'd like to ask a favor of you if I could.
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(06:05):
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Again, thanks for stopping by.

Tim (06:19):
I'm Tim Staten.

Intro (06:20):
Staten, the Obvious.

Tim (06:32):
Sam.