7 principles of Stephen covey for project mangers to tackle risks
Abstract
Risks are inherent to any organization. Risks are challenges to any organization, which dealt proactively, can prove to be an asset with respect to managing the threats and opportunities that come along with risks. Uncertainty of external and internal events are faced by all organizations. A sound business strategy that realizes a set of objectives and risk management is a great tool in the arsenal of organizations to tackle these uncertainties. Stephen covey in his book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” talks about what are the principles a person can follow and adhere to being successful. This book has been revered by many organizational professionals and they apply the principles of the book to develop themselves and produce effective results that lead to success. In this article we take a closer look at risk management concepts and principles while elucidating the opportunities and threats that come with risks by comparing them with the principles of Stephen Covey from his book. The purpose of this article is to present a fundamental manuscript for managers or organizations to refer to when managing risks effectively and also be efficient in doing so.
Introduction
The book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People” written by Stephen Covey is success book for individuals trying to build a character for their problem solving and decision making capabilities. Covey first published this book in the year 1989 by researching the predeceasing 200 years of “success” and how people perceived themselves in different workplace scenarios to achieve successful results. According to the book Covey talks about how people should be able to change themselves and their perceptions towards a situation and the demand for change of that situation. In studying literature for almost 200 years, Covey noticed a trend shift in how people viewed change and identified success. In earlier times, the foundation of success rested upon the “character ethic” (things like Integrity, Humility, Fidelity, Temperance, Courage, Justice, Patience, Industry, Simplicity, Modesty etc.) But the trend that Covey noticed in the later years was that the way people looked at success gravitated towards “personality ethic” (where success is a function of Personality, Public image, Attitudes and Behaviors etc.) Covey in the essence of the book says that both approaches are fundamentally important. "The way we see the problem is the problem," Covey writes. And this is where he puts forth the 7 habits to talk about the importance of both approaches.
- Habits 1, 2, and 3 are focused on self-mastery and moving from dependence to independence.
- Habits 4, 5, and 6 are focused on developing teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills, and moving from independence to interdependence.
- Habit 7 is focused on continuous growth and improvement and embodies all the other habits.
Covey also writes “People can only experience true success and endure happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.” By this he inferences that the character is where you sow the seeds of success and it can’t be faked. Success is as robust as the character developed which is extremely crucial for managers or groups.
