7 Habits and 8th Habit of Highly Effective People

The Seven Habits of Covey

1. Be proactive. This is the ability to control one's environment,
   rather than the opposite, as is so often the case. Managers need to control
   their own environment, by using self-determination and the ability to respond
   to various circumstances.


2. Begin with the end in mind. This means that the manager must
   be able to see the desired outcome, and to concentrate on activities which
   help to achieve that end.


3. Put first things first. A manager must manage his own person.
   Personally. And managers should implement activities which aim to achieve
   the second habit. Covey says that habit 2. is the first, or mental creation;
   habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.


4. Think win-win. This is the most important aspect of interpersonal
   leadership, because most achievements are based on shared effort. Therefore
   the aim needs to be win-win solutions for all.


5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. By developing
   and maintaining positive relationships through good communications, the
   manager is understood by others, and he can understand the subordinates.


6. Synergize. This is the habit of creative cooperation: the principle
   that collaborating towards attaining a purpose often achieves more, than
   could be achieved by individuals working independently.


7. Sharpen the saw. We should learn from our previous experiences.
   And we should encourage others to do the same. Covey sees development as
   one of the most important aspects for being able to cope with challenges,
   and for aspiring towards higher levels of ability.

In his 2004 book: "The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness", Covey introduces an additional eighth habit:

8. Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs. Striving towards
   "greatness", means to act with integrity as an individual and to help others
   to do the same. According to Covey, this habit represents the 3rd dimension
   of his model. Greatness is the overlap of:
   

• Personal greatness. Applying the 7 habits in the forms of: vision,
  discipline, passion and conscience.


• Leadership greatness. Applying the 4 roles of leadership, which
  are modeling the 7 habits:
  
  
  
  • Path finding. Creating the blueprint.
  
  
  • Aligning. Creating a technically elegant system
    of work.
  
  
  • Empowering. Releasing the talent, energy, and
    contribution of people.
  
  
  
  • Modeling. To build trust with others. The heart
    of effective leadership.
  
  
  
  


• Organizational greatness. This is greatness turned into a vision,
  mission and values. This brings clarity, commitment, translation, synergy,
  and enables accountability.

Book: Stephen Covey: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Book: Stephen Covey: The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness