The Seven Habits
The chapters are dedicated to each of the habits, which are represented by
the following imperatives:
- Be Proactive. Here, Covey emphasizes the original sense of the term
"proactive" as coined by Victor Frankl. You can either be proactive or
reactive when it comes to how you respond to certain things. When you are
reactive, you blame other people and circumstances for obstacles or problems.
Being proactive means taking responsibility for every aspect of your life.
Initiative and taking action will then follow. Covey also argues that man is
different from other animals in that he has self-consciousness. He has the
ability to detach himself and observe his own self; think about his thoughts.
He goes on to say how this attribute enables him: It gives him the power not
to be affected by his circumstances. Covey talks about stimulus and
response. Between stimulus and response, we have the power of free will to
choose our response.
- Begin with the End In Mind. This chapter is about setting long-term
goals based on "true north" principles. Covey recommends formulating a
"personal vision statement" to document one's perception of one's own vision
in life. He sees visualization as an important tool to develop this. He also
deals with organizational vision statements, which he claims to be more
effective if developed and supported by all members of an organization rather
than prescribed.
- Put First Things First. Here, Covey describes a framework for
prioritizing work that is aimed at short-term goals, at the expense of tasks
that appear not to be urgent, but are in fact very important. Delegation is
presented as an important part of time management. Successful delegation,
according to Covey, focuses on results and benchmarks that are to be agreed
upon in advance, rather than prescribed as detailed work plans.
- Think Win/Win describes an attitude whereby mutually beneficial
solutions are sought that satisfy the needs of oneself, or, in the case of a
conflict, both parties involved.
- Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Covey warns that
giving out advice before having empathetically understood a person and their
situation will likely result in rejection of that advice. Thoroughly reading
out your own autobiography will decrease the chance of establishing a working
communication.
- Synergize describes a way of working in teams. Apply effective
problem solving. Apply collaborative decision making. Value differences. Build
on divergent strengths. Leverage creative collaboration. Embrace and leverage
innovation. It is put forth that when synergy is pursued as a habit, the
result of the teamwork will exceed the sum of what each of the members could
have achieved on their own. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
- Sharpen the saw focuses on balanced self-satisfaction: Regain what
Covey calls "production capability" by engaging in carefully selected
recreational activities.