Newly published by Palmetto Publishing, Character First Leadership offers a practical framework rooted in the nine Fruits of the Spirit for developing leaders whose integrity shapes lasting organizational success.
Character First Leadership
Charleston, SC, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Palmetto Publishing has released Character First Leadership, a new book by leadership professional and speaker Shari Weber. The book presents a values-driven approach to leadership development, arguing that lasting organizational success begins not with strategy or credentials but with the personal character of the leader.
At the core of Character First Leadership is a framework built around the nine Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Weber draws on years of experience in leadership development, hospitality, and team building to show how each trait functions as a practical tool in workplace settings. Through personal experiences and hard-won lessons, she maps each character quality to specific leadership challenges, from building trust within teams to navigating conflict and fostering resilience. The book moves chapter by chapter through each trait, grounding abstract virtues in concrete, real-world applications.
Weber addresses a tension familiar to many professionals. Leaders who have earned their titles through performance often discover that results alone cannot sustain a healthy culture. Good people leave. Trust erodes. Teams disengage. The book confronts this gap directly, challenging readers to look inward before looking outward. Weber argues that when leaders prioritize character over credentials, they create environments where people feel valued rather than pressured. The stakes, she writes, extend beyond individual careers to the health of entire organizations and the people within them.
Shari Weber stated, “In a world where character is scarce, I wrote this book because I believe we need to bring it back to the forefront. Leadership is not about your title. It is about who you are when no one is watching, and how that shapes the culture around you. I want readers to walk away knowing that their greatest leadership asset is their integrity.”
Character First Leadership is positioned for emerging and mid-career professionals in corporate and organizational settings who seek a faith-informed yet broadly applicable approach to personal growth. The book sits alongside titles such as John Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead, offering readers who value those works a complementary perspective that integrates spiritual principles with workplace practice. At a time when employee disengagement and leadership turnover continue to challenge organizations across industries, Weber’s emphasis on people over performance speaks to a growing demand for authenticity in leadership.
Character First Leadership is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information about the author, please visit author’s website
Shariweber.com
About the Author: Shari Weber is a leadership professional, mentor, speaker, and culture-builder with years of experience in leadership development, hospitality, team building, and people-centered service. She has dedicated her career to creating environments where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Known for her servant-hearted approach, Shari believes the strongest organizations are built by leaders whose character runs deeper than their title.
Her book, Character First Leadership: Growing Leaders from the Inside Out Where Character Creates Culture, grew from a conviction that true leadership has been overshadowed by metrics of performance and productivity. Drawing inspiration from the nine Fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Shari crafted a practical framework for developing leaders who influence others through integrity, compassion, and authenticity. Through personal experiences, real-world workplace applications, and hard-won leadership lessons, she demonstrates how character shapes culture and how culture ultimately determines organizational success.
When she is not mentoring emerging leaders or speaking to organizations about the power of character-driven culture. Shari’s mission remains simple and urgent: to bring character back to the forefront of leadership, one leader at a time. Follow SHARI WEBER for updates on new releases. www.shariweber.com
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Available for interviews: Author, SHARI WEBER
Attachment
- Character First Leadership
CONTACT: Leah Joseph Palmetto Publishing [email protected]
