Revision as of 00:56, 22 February 2021

Edited by Cecilia Thuy Duyen Nguyen-Cong (s184300)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey and was first published in 1989.^[1] Covey presents 7 habits that are fundamental principles to effectiveness in life in the modern society, where life has become more complex, stressful and demanding. Although the book is related to business management and the professional life, it gives general good advice to self-management and confidence-building in the private life. The book has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and is awarded as one of the 25 most influential business management books by the US TIME’s magazine and an International Bestseller. Even though the book was written over 25 years ago its wisdom is timeless and has inspired presidents, CEO’s, educators and many people over the world.^[2]

This book has met a lot of positive publicity, and here is one:

• “Every so often a book comes along that not only alters the lives of readers but leaves an imprint on the culture itself. The 7 Habits is one of those books." - Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive”^[3]

This article explains the essentials of the 7 principles or habits as Covey presents them in the book. This article will also include the overall approach of the concept and how it can be included in a project management context. Lastly, there will be a critical reflection of the application of the principles.

Overall Concept of The 7 Habits

In the book Covey quotes from the Greek philosopher, Aristoteles[link]; “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” [Book, p. 65] Real effectiveness is a function of two factors, on one hand is it about what is produced and on the other hand it is about the ability to produce. That is a balance that Covey calls the P/PC-Balance; P for the production and PC for the production capacity. It is the paradigm of effectivity that The 7 Habits is based on. [Book, p. 73]

The 7 Habits is a concept that examines and adjusts a person’s character, motives and behaves. The foundation of its knowledge lies in the idea of how you see the world and should interact with others. Overall, the idea about The 7 Habits is to manage our time and goal in your life, define the character you want be and build productive relationships. The concept not meant to be a quick fix but a process of change and growth.

The 7 Habits are created upon a maturity scale, and together The 7 Habits provide an integrated method to personal growth and development. The order of the maturity scale is from the lowest level, dependence, secondly independence and interdependence as the highest level of maturity.

Between each level of maturity Covey describes the first three habits as the one that take a person from dependence to interdependence – this is the private victory. The habits from four to six take a person from independence to interdependence – this is the public victory. Here is a list the first six habits:

• 1. Habit: Be proactive
• 2. Habit: Begin with the end in mind
• 3. Habit: Put first thing first.
• 4.Habit: Think win-win
• 5. Habit: Seek first to understand, then to be understood
• 6. Habit: Synergize

Lastly the 7th habit is about “Sharpen The Saw”, and is the maintaining and order of all the 6 habits – this is beyond the maturity scale and is about renewal. Covey illustrates the whole paradigm of The 7 Habits as shown the figure seen below.

This is a bottom-up structure, that indicates, that you have to win the private victory in order to win the public victory etc. Habits in general can make you do great things and make things happen but is can also be the block on the road stopping you for what you really desire to achieve.

Application

• How it can be included in relevant context
  • Self-management: Guidance how to involve it in a project management context (PEOPLE)
• How it has already been used (real examples, professional review)

Limitation

• Critical reflections of the application-section.

References

Examples

1. ↑ [The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, Danish version: Gyldendal Business, 4th edition, 2020]
2. ↑ The 25 Most Influential Business Management Books, by Stephen Gandel, TIME BUSINESS GUIDES, August, 2011
3. ↑ [The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, Danish version: Gyldendal Business, 4th edition, 2020]