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Leadership and Management. Explanation of Seven

Habits of Stephen Covey. ('89)
The Seven Habits model of management and leadership guru Stephen Covey is a
theory that is applicable to our personal life, our social life and our working life.
However the Seven Habits framework is highly applicable for leaders and
managers. According to Covey, our paradigms affect how we interact with others,
which in turn affects how they interact with us. Therefore Covey argues that any
effective self-help program must begin with an "inside-out" approach, rather than
looking towards our problems as "being out there" (an outside-in approach). We
must start with examining our own character, paradigms, and motives.

The Seven Habits of Covey

1. Be proactive. This is the ability to control one's environment, rather than the
opposite, as is so often the case. Managers need to control their own
environment, by using self-determination and the ability to respond to
various circumstances.
2. Begin with the end in mind. This means that the manager must be able to
see the desired outcome, and to concentrate on activities which help to
achieve that end.
3. Put first things first. A manager must manage his own person. Personally.
And managers should implement activities which aim to achieve the second
 habit. Covey says that habit 2. is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the
second, or physical creation.
4. Think win-win. This is the most important aspect of interpersonal
leadership, because most achievements are based on shared effort. Therefore
the aim needs to be win-win solutions for all.
5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. By developing and
maintaining positive relationships through good communications, the
manager is understood by others, and he can understand the subordinates.
6. Synergize. This is the habit of creative cooperation: the principle that
collaborating towards attaining a purpose often achieves more, than could be
achieved by individuals working independently.
7. Sharpen the saw. We should learn from our previous experiences. And we
should encourage others to do the same. Covey sees development as one of
the most important aspects for being able to cope with challenges, and for
aspiring towards higher levels of ability.

In his 2004 book: "The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness", Covey
introduces an additional eighth habit:

8. Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs. Striving towards
"greatness", means to act with integrity as an individual and to help others
to do the same. According to Covey, this habit represents the 3rd dimension
of his model. Greatness is the overlap of:

Personal greatness. Applying the 7 habits in the forms of: vision,

discipline, passion and conscience.
Leadership greatness. Applying the 4 roles of leadership, which are
modeling the 7 habits:
Path finding. Creating the blueprint.
Aligning. Creating a technically elegant system of work.
Empowering. Releasing the talent, energy, and contribution of people.
Modeling. To build trust with others. The heart of effective leadership.
Organizational greatness. This is greatness turned into a vision, mission
and values. This brings clarity, commitment, translation, synergy, and
enables accountability.

Book: Stephen Covey: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People -

Book: Stephen Covey: The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness -

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Recent User Comments
Amal - Sri Seven "I wonder, can there be habits for 4
Lanka Habits: followers as well?"
Followers?
badwy - Seven "What is the meaning of: Sharpen the 8
Egypt Habits: saw?"
Sharpen the
 saw?
waleedbadran2007 - Extra "Can I add another habit: The 3
Egypt Habit? attitude to work hard. I find that
hard work is one of the most
important habits, not found in
all persons..."
Nick - UK 7 Habits "It is admirable for us all to aspire to -
these habits but the world would not 101
function if we all succeded!"
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