BR: 7 Habits of Highly Successful People

Book Review: 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Steven Covey

Introduction

Stephen Covey wrote this best selling book in 1989. Twenty-eight years later it holds up and is as relevant today as it has ever been. I first read Covey's book about twenty years ago and have integrated many of the principles into personal development strategies. The purpose of this book review is to extract the main principles to be applied to employee development. However, no review can ever capture all of the information in a single book. It is suggested that this book be added to your personal development library.


In the introduction, Covey puts the habits into context. Prior to World War I, most development literature focused on character such as integrity, honesty, fidelity, courage, etc. After World War I, the focus changed to the personality: public image, attitudes, behaviors, skills and techniques. He states, "If I try to use human influence strategies and tactics of how to get other people to do what I want, to work better, to be more motivated, to like me and each other---while my character is fundamentally flawed (duplicity and insincerity) then, in the long run, I cannot be successful." p. 21 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People embody the many of the fundamental principles of human effectiveness. These habits are basic; they are primary. They represent the internalization of correct principles upon which enduring happiness and success are based. p. 23

Habit #1 - Be Proactive

Being proactive is akin to Employeeship's principle of taking initiative, but pro-activity is more than taking initiative. It means that as humans, we are responsible for our own lives. Life is a result of our decisions, not our conditions. Our conditions are often a result of our decisions. We have the responsibility to to make things happen in our lives. 

People who end up with the good jobs are the proactive ones who are solutions to problems, not problems themselves, who seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary and are consistent with correct principles. 

Habit #2 - Begin with the End in Mind

The most fundamental application of begin with the end in mind is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end your life as the criterion by which everything else is done. Through our own imaginations and creativity, we can set a course in all the areas of our life--family, relationships, finances, profession, spirituality, health and wellness, hobbies, etc. Covey also recommends writing missions statements for these areas. A personal mission statement focuses on character (who you want to be) and the contributions and achievements ans on the values and principles upon which being and doing are based.

An application to Employeeship is to write a job mission statement that declares what kind of employee you desire to be and what kind of service you desire to have toward your employer and customer.

Habit #3 - Put First Things First

Covey begins this chapter asking:

• What one thing could you do that you are not doing now, that if you did on a regular basis would make a tremendous positive difference in your life?
• What one thing in your career would bring you similar results?

This chapter (really the whole book) is about understanding yourself and managing yourself. Everyone should know themselves; their strengths and weaknesses so that they can determine what needs to be done in each area of life to make them stronger and better. Putting first things first is about prioritizing the activities of life so that time is not wasted on ineffective activities. Every activity can be labeled as important/not important and urgent/not urgent. There are four combinations:

• Urgent - Important
• Not Urgent - Important
• Urgent - Not Important
• Not Urgent - Not Important

Important activities are those that if not done have negative consequences. Urgent activities are those that seem urgent because of an alert or deadline. Prioritize activities according to those that are important.

A good employee prioritizes their work and completes their tasks on or before time and efficiently. Once important tasks are completed, they move on to other tasks.

Habit #4 - Think Win/Win

When dealing with others personally or professionally always seek solutions that bring positive results for each party. Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win/Win means that agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial, that all parties feel good, that all are committed to success, and all parties cooperate.

Win/Win negotiations need to be made explicit:

1. Agree on desired results
2. Agree on guidelines
3. Agree on resources
4. Agree on accountability
5. Agree on consequences

Every company employee is part of a team that use their talents and experience. Every team member should be thinking Win/Win.

Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand - Then to Be Understood

Communication is the most important skill in life. If you want to interact effectively with someone, then you first need to understand them. Covey suggests empathetic listening. Empathetic listening gets you inside another person's frame of reference. It involves more than words and meanings, but includes emotions and motives. 

The leading cause of workplace conflict is a communication problem. A good employee seeks first to understand, then to be understood.

Habit #6 - Synergize

Synergy means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It means that the relationship each part has to the other is a part in itself. Not only is the relationship a part, it is the most catalytic, most empowering, most unifying, and the most exiting part of synergy. Synergy is group chemistry and communication. Shared goals are better than individual goals. 

Employeeship is synergy in action. Each employees should not only work to make themselves better, but also work to make the team and the company better.

Habit #7 - Sharpen the Saw

Sharpening the saw is the principle of balanced self-renewal. There are four dimensions of renewal that every individual needs to be aware and continually develop and nurture. There is an upward spiral in each area of learn, commit, do. We learn about ourselves--weaknesses and strengths--and make the commitment and do whatever it takes to strengthen that area. This upward spiral never ends. It continues throughout our lives.

• Physical
• Exercise, nutrition, stress management, flexibility, strength
• Spiritual
• Values, commitment to others and God
• Mental
• Reading, planning, writing, learning
• Social/Emotional
• Service, empathy, synergy, intrinsic security

 A good employee seeks to understand their strengths and weaknesses and continually develops  themselves.



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