The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

[kevinfar]

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Anyone read the book or listened to the audio program ? Any reviews?

[mjh]

I have a copy, but haven't given it a proper bash yet. I've always been cagey about it because it's a bit buzzwordy -- paradigm this and synergy that -- but thought I'd give it a chance.

There's a pretty good review on thesimpledollar.

[kevinfar]

I have a copy, but haven't given it a proper bash yet. I've always been cagey about it because it's a bit buzzwordy -- paradigm this and synergy that -- but thought I'd give it a chance.

hmm... what exactly do you mean by paradigm and synergy? is that what one of the chapter is all about (as mentioned in the review)?

There's a pretty good review on thesimpledollar.

yeah good review. i think i will get the audio cd and listen to it when i get the chance.

cheers mjh

[mjh]

Paradigm and synergy are words that he uses in the book and I used them to illustrate the kind of language you'll find in it. Personally I think this kind of lingo is pretty hollow, which is why I've always been a bit reluctant to pick up the seven habits book.

[helm]

I once bought it cause a professor recommended it, but it's not that great. it is really small (at least the edition I have 2x3") with few pages and kinda boring. but that was my perception 4 years ago, I'll probably rate it different now. but it's somewhere in a box on the attic, so far out of reach for rereading...

[kevinfar]

I once bought it cause a professor recommended it, but it's not that great. it is really small (at least the edition I have 2x3") with few pages and kinda boring. but that was my perception 4 years ago, I'll probably rate it different now. but it's somewhere in a box on the attic, so far out of reach for rereading...

hmm.. something being recommended by a professor is not usually a desired thing.. speaking from a student's perspective..

anyways, thanks for your responses.. i'll give it some thought later

[ukdudeinuk]

My dad has it, and I've seen him recommend it to younger guys in his shop, so he obviously thinks alot of it.

[Mehdi]

I started the audio book once, but didn't like what I heard (don't remember, I think he didn't get to the point fast enough). I prefer books however, could be it.

What I always do for books: go to amazon, read 5 positive review, read 5 negative reviews, make up my mind.

[azey47]

I just finished reading this book. Overall I would give it a positive review. There are some far too obvious bits here and there, but the whole point is quite good.

SPOILER*

The book breaks down as following (from wikipedia):

1. 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 shows how 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.”
7. Sharpen the saw focuses on balanced self-satisfaction: Regain what Covey calls "production capability" by engaging in carefully selected recreational activities.


To sum up in a sentence what I took away from the book: Master yourself before trying to change the world.

[mjh]

In response to the previous post and outline: Covey has good advice, but doesn't present it well. If he wrote in plain English instead of business buzzword bullshit (why synergy and not teamwork, cooperation, or collaboration?), I'd be a convert.

[kevinfar]

hmm thanks for the great replies.. i think i'll get the audio cd cause i really don't have much time to read lately. The book seems to get getting more positive than negative reviews from various sources so I think it's worthwhile to invest in it..

[jpj]

In response to the previous post and outline: Covey has good advice, but doesn't present it well. If he wrote in plain English instead of business buzzword bullshit (why synergy and not teamwork, cooperation, or collaboration?), I'd be a convert.

I think he was trying to articulate his ideas as clearly and carefully as possible. Synergy means something totally different from those other terms, especially in the context of this book. But I understand where you are coming from though. The funny thing is that Covey probably coined those buzzwords.

Personally I thought it was a good book and I would recommend to others that it is at least worth reading. The audio CD is probably the best bet.

[mjh]

In response to the previous post and outline: Covey has good advice, but doesn't present it well. If he wrote in plain English instead of business buzzword bullshit (why synergy and not teamwork, cooperation, or collaboration?), I'd be a convert.

I think he was trying to articulate his ideas as clearly and carefully as possible. Synergy means something totally different from those other terms, especially in the context of this book. But I understand where you are coming from though. The funny thing is that Covey probably coined those buzzwords.

Personally I thought it was a good book and I would recommend to others that it is at least worth reading. The audio CD is probably the best bet.

Yeah, I'll admit that it's most likely the overuse and abuse of words like that since Covey that have made them so annoying.

[jaguar65]

I'm midway through it now but I'm finding it very wordy, I'd rather he just got to the point rather than explaining it in such detail. However, I like what he has to say and I'm trying to adhere to it.

So far things have gone well for me!