Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Explore the power of 7

7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen R. Covey
A fabulous book (or I should rather say—guide…); for all those how want to make a positive difference in their life! 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a book that comes with step-by-step instructions to help you achieve each one of the life (both personal and professional) enhancing 7 habits listed. The first 3 three habits focus mainly on your personal life and the last four directed on professional growth. Covey emphasizes on the importance of first developing one’s personal habits and only then can positive professional habits can be cultivated.

Additionally you'll need to understand the "paradigm shift" a change in perception and analysis of how the world works in today’s scenario. This would help you change your outlook towards how you perceive time management, productivity, positive thinking and will assist you in developing "proactive muscles" … taking initiative rather than reacting.

1. Be Proactive
Focus is on being proactive—encouraging you to develop the ability to control your own environment rather than letting things control you. By being proactive you have higher success rate and will be able to complete projects/tasks efficiently.

2. Begin with the end in mind
Leadership is the underlying theme; Covey advice is to begin every project with the end result already acknowledged. That path to success in life lies in planning; concentrating on every step will help you avoid distractions and increase your productivity. Increase in quality of life is you gift for following this—as you now define your course and work towards a planned destination.

3. Put first thing first
Put first things first is a habit that works on personal management, in your personal life and at work. By organising and implementing activities in line with the goals that you have established, you spend time doing what fits into your personal mission. Therefore, you are able to observe the proper balance between production and building production capacity. Identify the key roles that you take on in life (both professionally and personally) and make time for each one.

4. Think Win-Win
All strive for—a win-win situation. This habit is the cornerstone of interpersonal leadership. Achievements are often dependent on cooperative efforts with others. In developing an organizational or personal culture, be sure to reward win-win behaviour among employees.

5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood
Communication is the mainstay of successful leadership. This habit positions that one should first seek to understand others and only expect to be understood—imperative principle of building great interpersonal relationships. Effective listening is simply listening empathetically for both feeling and meaning.

6. Synergize
Synergize is the place where the totality is greater than the sum. It is significant to learn how to see good in others contributions. With trustful communication, mutual trust and understanding one can find ways to leverage individual differences and create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts.

7. Sharpen the saw
The solution to a successful personal and professional life is through continuous improvement throughout. This concept is the core of the seventh habit. To adapt this habit successfully in life, one must first find the balance between actually producing and improving your capabilities to produce.

Stephen is a believer and advocate of positive individuals and that mostly effective people shape their own future. Instead of letting other people or circumstances determine their destiny, they mentally plan and then physically create their own positive results. The habits are intricate; with step-by-step instructions to help you achieve each one. What is essential is to adopt the habits in complete honesty…you will have to buy the book if you are interested in learning more, or you can also visit
www.stephencovey.com for any additional information. I refer to it time and again…I’m sure you will too!

2 comments:

  1. what should your HR do, if a candidate turns down the offer made by cellebrum?

    FYI: your HR executive nitin jain, just called me and threatened to ruin my career and ensure that no company in india would hire me,,, as i did not understand the offer made by cellebrum!

    now, saket,, what do you think I should do?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi,

    Well, thanks for raising the concern... Organisations are far bigger than individuals! Pls be assured we shall take appropriate corrective measures.. May I request you to pls share details at my emailID saket.agarwal@cellebrum.com to help me understand the whole thing better for initiating action.

    Regards

    Saket

    ReplyDelete