I was saddened to hear the news that Stephen Covey, author of the groundbreaking bestseller of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, had passed away.
Covey, a university business/leadership professor and founder of an entire empire of subsequent books, high profile speaking engagements, widely acclaimed seminars and associated business tools (Franklin-Covey), was 79 when he died of complications from a bicycling accident earlier this year.
I first read 7 Habits when it first came out in 1989. I was young much younger.
Well into my Federal government career – a rising mid-level manager in a male-dominated profession – I wanted to stay abreast of the latest developments in leadership, management and team-building to bring private sector insights into the public sector.
From a leadership and management perspective, Covey’s book was monumental in at least two ways: shifting focus from the collective organization to the individual, and from the employee’s job position within that organization to the specific person him or herself.
Suddenly it didn’t matter where you were on the organizational chart: CEO or minion, branch chief or new hire, Covey was very clear in saying that we each have a responsibility to live, work and act according to the seven principles enshrined in the book.
To say that the book became a hit is an understatement. The 7 Habits went on to be published in 38 languages, with sales topping 20 million copies.
It resonated with people in a much broader way that few business books do, in large part because it didn’t seem limited to the business culture. The relaxed, engaging yet clearly focused manner in which Covey fleshed out his 7 Habits spoke to people’s interest well beyond the boardroom, pressroom or mailroom.
In short, readers felt that Covey was talking about life. And he was. Unashamedly, unabashedly so.
I happened to have some free time last summer and one day went in search of a good book in which to become lost. My eyes alit on 7 Habits. As it had been decades a few years since I’d last read it, I wondered whether life, experience and the passage of time would color the way in which I perceived the habits.
In a word, yes.
The book was every bit as fresh and entertaining after all this time. Several of the phrases have even worked their way into everyday lexicon without many of us realizing we have Covey to thank.
Most of all, I did feel that Covey was imparting wisdom about about far more than business.
He was sharing a blueprint – his blueprint – for life.
So exactly what are Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? Glad you asked:
Moving from dependence to independence (i.e., self-mastery):
- Be proactive -> Take initiative and responsibility for decisions and choices
- Begin with the end in mind -> Create a life mission statement with your self-discovered character values and goals for each of your roles and relationships
- Put first things first -> Prioritize and execute based on importance rather than urgency; ensure your efforts align with the values and goals, and enrich the roles/relationships identified in the previous habit.
Interdependence:
- Think win-win -> Strive for mutually beneficial agreement for maximum resolution
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood -> Engaging in empathetic listening first encourages your partner to reciprocate in kind, for better overall understanding
- Synergize -> Combine people’s strengths and talents to create high-functioning teams reaching top performance
Self-Renewal (self-rejuvenation):
- Sharpen the saw -> Balance and renew energy, resources and physical and mental health to ensure a sustainable, long-term lifestyle lived in congruence with that envisioned in the second habit.
The habits are simple yet solid, steeped with life lessons, astute thinking, discernment and focus on what’s truly important. Thanks to Stephen Covey, we have them as guideposts.
[P.S. – Check out the comments and see what one blogger owes to Stephen Covey!]
He was a man ahead of his time. I think I’ll follow your lead and take a fresh look at the book that started it all.
I always enjoyed his ‘think win-win’ and ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood’. Good stuff.
Thanks for a reminder of how important Covey’s ‘Life philosophy’ is. Because it is a philosophy. Of living life well, whatever your colour, creed or job title. It values self respect, respecting others and doing your best, while at the same time recognising when the batteries need recharging.
Time to get the book down from the shelf, blow off the dust and re-read!
There is a bit of dust, but isn’t it refreshing when something old doesn’t sound positively archaic? And it’s still positive and effective. Not bad for something written 30+ years ago!
Nice article. I actually bought his son’s book, “7 habits of Highly Effective Teens” as a gift for my daughter, years back. She enjoyed it immensely and found it extremely helpful to her in her early teens. She was asked to do a talk at school a couple of years ago and she actually quoted habits from the book in her speech. It was very impressive!
Like father like son.
Thanks for sharing
Rawia
Yes, I understand that several of his children ended up going into the ‘family business’. I’d heard there was a teen version but hadn’t read it. I’m really impressed that your daughter connected with it so much that she used it for her speech. Will have to check it out, thanks Rawia.
Thanks for the reminder. I love this book and first ‘discovered’ it in 1996. Begin with the end in mind and first things first are with me almost daily. This guy changed my world. However, the story I tell in all my writing classes (do you remember?) is that Covey writes in stories. He paints pictures that help us to remember his messages. In the intro he talks about playing baseball with his son, Josh. He names him, he makes him real, he adds emotion. I believe it was his skill as a storyteller that made all the difference.
Yes, Rawia, his Teens book is just the thing to leave lying about when you have a difficult teen. I had his Families book too.
You’re right about Covey’s ability to weave tales which highlighted the particular point he was making. I believe storytelling (when done well) is the most powerful form of instruction. Probably why I enjoy your courses so much Jo, thanks 😉
How timely that you would write this post today. Weirdly enough I called to order a day-timer today. Back when I was working we were all required to read the 7 habits and it was very useful.
Life is full of little coincidences and serendipitous similarities, isn’t it Jane?
Me again. First I should say how sad that such a great man passed away, and thank you for reminding me again of the 7 habits. After I read your post I got to thinking about the day timer situation. I tried to order a day timer, but to be honest I was frustrated with the customer service I got and thought it was very unusual for Franklin Covey and ended up not getting it. Then after reading your post I researched it some more and realize now, that is not the FC company, but a different company. Now I found the right site and will try again. I thought something seemed wrong, but it is a while since I used it. Just a side note, after a Franklin Covey planner seminar, it helped me realize my goal of travel, and that lead me to a trip to England/Wales, and where I met my husband! And now here I am living in England.
Jane, you do indeed owe much to Stephen Covey; your story certainly gives new meaning to his habits ‘start with the end in mind’ and ‘be proactive’!!
I adore Stephen Covey – the whole idea of putting ‘what matters most’ first really resonates, mainly because I understand the importance but so often fail on the delivery.
Prior to buying my own copy, I borrowed one from the local library, and in my normal fashion, was overdue returning it. The librarian took one look at the cover, held the book up, and pointedly remarked “punctuality not one of the 7, then?”
I still have a way to go..
We ALL have a way to go Rachel. But it’s nice to have the short, pithy reminders that Covey wove his stories around. He lived what he wrote, and had a full life.
I thought his stuff was brilliant – as a USG employee at the Embassy I did some 7 Habits Training and it made so much sense. I tried to get into a train the trainers workshop – would still like to do it.
There are others who may offer similar info but few who can boil it down to the most essential points and offer illuminating stories like Covey.