Stephen Covey's seven principles

Abstract

This article connects the relations between Stephen Covey’s seven principles and doing projects. The principles are more often referred to as the seven habits of highly effective people , which describes the thoughts and steps you need to apply if you want to be an effective individual. While working in projects, its highly important to be effective thus do the right tasks, in the right order and with the correct timing. Being able to do that, requires not only effectiveness by yourself, but also with the people you are collaborating with. Interesting parts of Covey’s thinking is how you must be able to manage yourself to manage other people, thus working in projects. The article follows the natural sequence of the principles going through the aspects of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand then to be understood, synergizing and finally sharping the saw. Each principle will be explained, connected to the good or worse practices existing in doing projects and discussing the possible pros and cons before moving on to the next principle, before connecting it all together.

Stephen Covey's seven principles

You might have heard the story about the farmer with the goose (the asset) producing one golden egg (the output) a day, who eventually cuts up the goose to get all the eggs inside, in his approach of only valuing the output, but not the asset. He ends up getting no golden eggs. On the other hand, if you only focusing on your assets you won’t get to profit in any way in life, and you will never be effective. We will go through different aspects of mindsets, behaviors and processes that can contribute to be a more effective individual.

On our way through the topics, we will compare Conveys principles with the skills needed when doing projects and processes you need to perform to do them effectively. We might discover, that if you adapt some of Coveys principles into your life, you might be well suited to do projects as well.

1. Proactive

Being proactive is very much about taking control of your life. Many people blame other for their lack of success. It’s very important to be conscious about the way we behave to develop a character that focus on the meaningful things in life. There will be different stimulus from this day until the end, but it’s how we react on those things that builds character, that later will make people follow your lead.

Figure 1: Mechanics of circle of concern vs circle of influence

When talking about circle of concern and circle of influence, the important thing is to focus on the circle of influence and to act on those things, instead of being acted upon. Circle of influence is those things that you can change whereof with circle of concern you can’t You can’t change whether it’s going to rain or be a sunny day(concern). Be proactive and act, push through that run in the park, that you planned to, no matter the output of the weather(influence). The secret here is, that the times where the weather is bad, but you still push through, the satisfaction will be even greater than else and indirectly fuel the expansion of the circle of influence as shown in figure 1. Reactive people use their energy on the circle of concern, things they can’t do anything about, makes excuses why they can do this and can do that, which unconscious leads to the feeling of less control of life, meaning that the circle of influence will shrink as also shown in figure 1.

There will be things that we have direct control of, its’s on our control, which directly correlates with the habits. But also, things that in our indirect control, depending of for example our associate, where the habits can help to some extent, but it’s important to learn new ways to deal with other people building up multiple layers of reasoning and argumentation, to improve the interaction. Most people fail and tend to quickly go from reasoning to fight, not having anything in-between. Lastly things that we have no control of, which is equal the circle of concern, and therefore shouldn’t use time on it but of cause recognize its existent.

“Enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) refer to conditions, not under the control of the project team, that influence, fluence, constrain, or direct the project. These conditions can be internal and/or external to the organization. EEFs are considered as inputs to many project management processes, specifically for most planning processes. These factors may enhance or constrain project management options. In addition, these factors may have a positive or negative influence on the outcome”

Covey have a point, that he wants to canalize energy primarily on the circle of influence. By doing so, first step is being able to identify which elements have their origin where. According to doing projects the PMBOK guidance encourage to use significant more resources working on factors that you might not have influence on, but since the elements still can have a large impact on the project they are not to be underestimated. No matter if you use time on the factors or not, acquiring the skills to categorize is critical.

2. Begin with the end in mind

If you imagine yourself being at your own funeral, where people would do speeches about you, what would you like them to say about you? What kind of person, values or behavior would you like it to be? If you can dig deep into yourself and answer those kinds of questions, then you know exactly what everything you do in life should be contributing for. If there is a gab between what you are currently doing and these things, that shouts for changes. By thinking of your “end” in everything you do, it should be ensuring every step you take is forward what is valued for you specific.

Meaningful for projects, because the end deliverables are to keep in mind in everything you do.

Mission statement

It is very important to write a mission statement with bullet points covering different topics as:

- What kind of person do you want to be?

- How will you live your life?

- What do you want to accomplish in your life?

These things should cover social, family and professional or what makes sense for you. The list as it is, do nothing for you, but creating it and frequently reviewing it is the true power level of this exercise. By doing this it allows you to remind yourself of what’s important to you and work forward those things and changing your statements as you develop and growth as a person, your values may change as well. Organizational mission statement should be involving everyone from the top level to the bottom to ensure that people know it and they buy into it.

Makes totally sense with projects, because a lot of people are involved, thus maybe means different perceptions of what is the goal we are trying to accomplish here? Discussing this and writing it down, to review it later when we acquire more knowledge of the area, new technologies / opportunities arises or the entire scope changes.

Effectiveness vs Efficiency

“You can be climbing the latter of success, but the latter is leaning against the wrong wall.” Effectiveness is about doing the right things. Efficiency is about how well you do those things. It is possible to align those things with the difference between leadership and management. Leadership is effectiveness and management are efficiency. Accordantly to Coveys theory, leadership should come first, and second management though a certain balance between them are needed to get anything done. Let’s say you are on fire on your leadership, knowing exactly the right things to do, but you are in entirely lack of management, the output will be zero. By the right level of effectiveness, and by the believe of "All Things are created twice". – That you measure, draw or imagining all work in your mind initially, before you do the physical work of the objective, then you should be able to create daily activities that support and benefits your mission statement.

This is very familiar and in alignment with standards describing WBS. – WILL BE UPDATED

3. Put first things first

This is about personal management. Independent will. The first two habits make you mentally aware of yourself being in charge and by the leadership thinking able to make the right decisions. Put first things first is about the personal management, put in the physical work, and to do what non-successful individuals won't do, because the "don’t feel like it today" as they are being driven by feelings. Being an effective individual, you will do those things because you are value driven and your inner will push you through those days where most people quit. Being able to get things done, time management is very critical. There are different levels to do planning of your time and tasks.

1. Notes and checklists

Here its noticed things to remember and do, but there is no actually timeframe or sequence of the tasks.

2. Calendars and appointment books.

At this level there is sequence and expected durations, but no actual prioritizing has taken place.

3. Prioritize tasks in their relation to the importance to you. Setting daily - short term and long-term goals, and then stick to that plan. But most people quit on it in the long run, it’s very hard to continuous carry out such a harsh planning every day, which tend to lead to surrendering.

4. Maintaining balance between the asset and the output, which means spending time on those tasks that will benefit in the long run as well as the urgent business thus minimal.

If things are important but not urgent most people tend to react on the less important but urgent inputs. That’s is why the second habit is very important since it enables us to acknowledge the importance. Effective individuals tend not to use time in Q3 and Q4, simply because it's not important. Q2 is where you want to be because, in the long run, these tasks are the once that really matters. Q2 you can say is opportunities and Q1 is problems. You must learn to say no to generate the time you need to put into Q2.

Mapping out what is most important in projects – WILL BE UPDATED

Effective management is about delegating. You will growth as an organization and you personally will get more time. There are different types of delegation of work;

1. Gofer delegations

This is basically you are being a joystick, controlling whoever you are delegating to. Orders are given very specific, frequently and without any space for adjustments. Practical it means that, there is no different between delegating the work or doing it yourself. You can argue that you get the job done the way you like, but you might miss out on new creativity that could result in a better way, and you surely don’t save any time thus giving directions all the time.

2. Stewardship delegation

Here you provide the result you wish instead of the methods to achieve the goal. It’s possible that you while specify the requirement for the result, give limitations on specific methods you DON’T want, but otherwise there is room for personal touch on the tasks.

Stewardship delegation is very much in alignment with project scooping – WILL BE UPDATED

4. Think win-win

“You can’t change the fruit if you don’t change the root”

There is different mindset to people when it comes to taking decisions.

1. Win-Win

Not your way or my way - it's a better way.

2. Win-Lose

I win - and you lose - Use of position, power etc.

3. Lose - Win

A pleaser - Being a nice guy.

4. Lose - Lose

Typically, when two win-lose persons meet each other. heavily caught up by the desire for the other person NOT to win, even if it means not winning themselves.

5. Win

Just want to win, don’t want anyone to lose, but it should be up to themselves how.

6. Win-Win or no deal

Having the option of "no deal" enables you to really go far to understand the needs of both parties and not trying to push your own agenda.

Ideally, we want to be in a position where Win – Win happens. That create much more sustainable relationships and will also be an investment for future situations. It’s easier to contribute someone who acts with integrity, maturity and exhibits abundance. By that, master the first 3 habits, be in the right balance between courage and consideration and not be caught up by other people success, instead appreciate it and enjoy the surroundings that comes with it. Building these relationships with people by creating trust is the core key to get to win – win situations. 

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood

Trying to provide a solution before you even understand the problem, is what frequently happens when different people share issues or experiences. Most people don’t make the effort required to truly understand the person the are talking with. Listening while you preparing an answer is not where you want to be if you trying to understand. You will need to dig deep inside and get rid of underlying agendas and just listen to the individual’s real problem or perception of a situation, first then when you truly understand, when sincerely trust and openness appear, can you expect the other person to understand you as well. That’s a worthy starting point for reaching win – win situations. It’s not enough performing well trained listening techniques, because people feel the difference between authentic empathy and a play, and then they won't fully open themselves up, and no matter how good you advise are, there is simply shut down.

The most important skill in life is communication. There are 4 different types;

(10 % is words we say)

(30 % is by our sound)

(60 % is body language)

1. Reading

2. Writing

3. Speaking

4. Listening

As people most of us lacking the training of truly listening. Reading, writing and speaking are all topics taught in school, but that’s not the case at all for listening.

Being able to truly understand is very useful for example when you decide how to run your business. If you do not fully understand your costumer, how can you design the product right?

Seek to understand is very central to circle of influence and as you do understand the circle will expand, and that way you become more effective simply by doing more emphatic listening.

6. Synergize

– WILL BE UPDATED

7. Sharping the saw

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Conclusion

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Annotated bibliography

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