Seven Habits

This past week when I heard the Stephen R. Covey had died, I couldn’t help but reflect on his book ­Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  A few years ago, the school district had me go to a week’s worth of training on the seven habits.  I then in turn had to spend three days instructing teachers and administrators in what I had learned.  I found it a little intimidating, because it was mostly principals, but I feel like many of them were impressed with the information that I gave them.  I must say that the principles taught there certainly changed my life.  I have since encouraged my students to read the book and implement the habits in their lives.  The seven habits are:

 Habit # 1

Be proactive

• Take initiative

• Manage change

• Respond proactively

• Keep commitments

• Take responsibility and have accountability

• Have a positive influence on results

Habit # 2

Begin with the end in mind

• Define vision and values

• Create a mission statement

• Set measurable team and personal goals

• Start projects successfully

• Align goals to priorities

• Focus on desired outcomes

Habit # 3

First things first

·         Execute strategy

• Apply effective delegation skills

• Focus on important activities

• Apply effective planning and prioritization skills

• Balance key priorities

• Eliminate low priorities and time wasters

• Use planning tools effectively

• Use effective time-management skills

Habit # 4

Think Win-win

·         Build high-trust relationships

• Build effective teams

• Apply successful negotiation skills

• Use effective collaboration

• Build productive business relationships

Habit # 5

Seek first to understand then be understood

·         Apply effective interpersonal communication

• Overcome communication pitfalls

• Apply effective listening skills

• Understand others

• Reach mutual understanding

• Communicate viewpoints effectively

• Apply productive input and feedback

• Apply effective persuasion techniques

Habit # 6

Synergize

·         Leveraging diversity

• Apply effective problem solving

• Apply collaborative decision making

• Value differences

• Build on divergent strengths

• Leverage creative collaboration

• Embrace and leverage innovation

Habit # 7

Sharpen the saw

·         Achieve life balance

• Apply continuous improvement

• Seek continuous learning

In order to truly understand these habits, you need to read the book.  It gives detailed explanations of what he means by these habits.  Covey also has a book out that has stories that complement the habits.  Many of them are inspiration and well worth the read.  I’ve never met Covey, but I believe that his books are inspired and influential throughout the country.  I think the leadership principles there, if applied, would make this world a much more honest place, and a world full of people with integrity.

I would recommend this book to anyone.