Primary Greatness: The 12 Levers of Success
Written by Stephen R. Covey
Narrated by Sean Covey
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Description
Many of us are hurting. We have chronic problems, dissatisfactions, and disappointments. Although we generally make it through the day, a lot of us feel overwhelmed by burdens we carry. We try to "lift the load of life" each day and sometimes it's just too much. The idea of living a "great life" seems a distant dream.
Too often, however, we have the wrong idea of what a great life is. We think if only we had enough money, enough free time, enough good looks or popularity, everything would be great. If that's what makes for a great life, no wonder so many of us feel so weighed down by the demands of everyday living.
Stephen R. Covey believed there were only two ways to live: a life of primary greatness or a life of secondary greatness. Through his classic books and seminars, he taught that the intrinsic rewards of primary greatness-integrity, responsibility, and meaningful contribution-far outweighed the superficial rewards of secondary greatness-money, popularity, and the self-absorbed, pleasure-ridden life that some people consider "success."
Dr. Stephen R. Covey's teachings are beloved and have inspired countless listeners and leaders. Primary Greatness once again delivers classic Covey wisdom in a compact and digestible form. In this posthumous work, Covey lays out clearly the 12 levers of success that will lead to a life of primary greatness: Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Teaching, and Renewal. For the first time, Covey defines each of these twelve qualities and how they provide the leverage to make your daily life truly "great."
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About the author
Dr. Stephen R. Covey passed away in 2012 leaving behind an unmatched legacy of teachings about leadership, time management, effectiveness, success, and love and family. A multimillion-copy bestselling author of self-help and business classics, Dr. Covey strove to help readers recognize the principles that would lead them to personal and professional effectiveness. His seminal work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, transformed the way people think and act upon their problems with a compelling, logical, and well-defined process. As an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, his advice gives insight to millions. He sold more than 30 million books (in 50 languages), and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century. He was the author of The 3rd Alternative, The 8th Habit, The Leader in Me, First Things First, and many other titles. He held an MBA from Harvard and a doctorate from Brigham Young University. He lived with his wife and family in Utah.
Reviews
What people think about Primary Greatness
4.7Reader reviews
- (2/5)Covey wasn't finished. He was working on a new project (likely several?), and had other writings that hadn't been widely published. This book is a collection of some of those earlier essays. They are valuable, but don't compare in the depth and thoughtful presentation seen in his most well known works. The principles ring true, but they didn't capture me the way the 7 Habits did. For me, the most useful reminder is how living on principle is liberating because doing so creates a framework from which to make decisions.
- (2/5)The executive summary was assigned for this month's management seminar, so...I try to read the full book when possible, even if the seminar facilitator only gives me three days warning. Fortunately, this is short, and fortunately, it's Stephen Covey, which means little (okay, no) deep thinking necessary.
The Army has seven core values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, Personal courage), while the Navy has three (Honor, Courage, Commitment), and the lesson I take from that is that fewer means more. Twelve levers is a lot, and to be sure, some are a reach. Covey's position that these twelve (Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Renewal, Teaching) are inalienable principles is untenable, particularly as he presents a false dichotomy of choices for pretty much every explanation (ex. things we put first in life should be last). That is not to say that there is no value in examining these levers, but they are not the end all be all. Worse, as has been my assessment of other Covey (and similar authors) writings, he seems to think that values are not relative. (Fans might argue the contrary, but read his anecdotes - apart from trivial and contrived, they expose his western bias.)
Still, no book not written by Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, or Robert Anton Wilson is valueless, and the takeaways from this collection of essays is that the twelve characteristics should be self-examined frequently. And adjustments made ... as the situation dictates. - (5/5)It has application for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, etc. I’d rank this among the Top 10 most impactful books I’ve ever read/listened to. I found the material in the Audiobook so useful and life-changing, that I purchased a print copy. Stephen R. Covey leaves a lasting legacy with this book!
- (5/5)Amazingly clear and purposeful!
I recommend anyone who wants to change their lives to learn from Primary Greatness.