About the Author

Stephen R. Covey was born on October 24, 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He graduated
from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He
was known for his books like ‘Spiritual Roots of Human Relations’ and The Divine Centre’.
In 1989, he published his best-seller, ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’. This was
his most notable business and self-help book that attained international acclaim. The book sold
more than 25 million copies and was translated in 38 languages. His book, The Seven Habits
of Highly Effective People’ was enlisted in ‘Time’ magazine’s list of the 25 Most Influential
Business Management Books. This book was sold in 38 languages across the world.

Habit 1: Pro-Active

The first habit mentioned is pro-activeness. It is a kind of initiative which blocks blame theory.
The combination of responsibility and initiative would always result in positive decision.
According to the author decisions should always be affected by decisions and not by conditions.
The present generation should know that for every happening they shouldn’t blame the older
generation and they must remember the saying “as you sow, so shall you reap “. Everyone
should understand that they are the ones who design the life, one should be pro-active in every
decision they make.

Habit 2: Begin with end in mind

The second habit is beginning with end in mind means to visualise the end from the beginning
principles. Covey starts with examples of considering one’s death, and imagining how would
you want yourself to be remembered. What would you want people to talk about after the
death? To begin with the end in mind requires a clear vision of destination and where you are.
The author says that don’t let your mind stray, focus the task be productive and accomplish the
task.

Habit 3: Put first things first

It is the second creation, the natural emergence of habits 1 and 2. It’s the exercise of
independent will towards becoming principle centred. Habits 1 and 2 are prerequisites for habit
3. The habit 3 talks about time management matrix. The matrix contains four quadrants. The
first quadrant consists of activities that are urgent and important, quadrant two is formed with
activities that are not urgent but important, third consists of activities which are urgent but not
important, the last quadrant is made of activities that are not urgent and not important.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

It means that we should be mature towards every stage in our life. It says that it is not
compulsory to have a win win situation. A good leader must always find ways wherein in both
sides they feel win. A sound and unflinching character provides a way to win good
relationships. Author presents his mythology about human beings and finds that win/win is a
habit which relates to interpersonal leadership based on an obliging approach with prerequisites
of vision, proactive initiative, security, guidance, wisdom and power. He describes six
principles which are regarded as “paradigms “. These are as follows:

 Win/Win
 Win/Lose
 Lose/Win
 Lose/Lose
 Win
 No Deal

Habit 5: Seek first to understand, than to be understood

Communication is a natural phenomenon. Human beings learn how to speak at the age of two
but takes many years to learn how to make choices e of correct words. Empathic
communication refers to a set of interaction skills. To build the skill of relating to other people
effectively is to understand their point of view without judgment, like seeing the world thru
their eyes. It is not about agreeing or disagreeing, solving or fixing, nor figuring something out;
merely reflecting on what they feel and saying it in your own words is the key to opening
people’s hearts

Habit 6: Synergize

Universe is variable. It undergoes changes in every Nano second. The habit of developing
synergy is in human nature. Synergy refers to as 1+1 may equal to 8 or 16 or even 1600. The
habit of ‘6’ synergy is highest of all. Covey says, nature is abundant with synergy, it is found
in every nook and corner of nature. Two plants if planted closely, together their simultaneous
growth will improve the worth of earth crest. Also, family life demand synergy to get congenial
relationships. In the environment in which self-esteem and self-worth of each human is
fulfilled, synergy grows. Author talks about principle of creative cooperation. The book
continues with mentioning about part 4 of the book which is Renewal. In this book, the author
desires to renew what has been learnt from 6 habits. He demands to adopt median approach to
lead a balanced life. To look for a balanced life is like renewing your potential. Author looks
for a balanced renewal in all four dimensions.in physical, spiritual, mental and the
social/emotional. These areas are interlinked. If any of the area is ignored intentionally or
unintentionally, it will impact negatively on rest of the areas. Life progresses as a result of
spiritual and social improvement and not as a result of mechanical processing.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

It means to develop your brain faculties physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. To keep
watch on physical fitness, social public rationing, acquiring KSA and concentrating ‘self” to
improve inner self. To make all the others possible is to have ourselves the time to renew. Not
too much but not too little, but regular effort in maintaining the physical, mental, social,
emotional and spiritual aspect of our being. Balance progress in each of these dimensions will
be our foundation for growth and change, the key to the development of the 7 habits.

Conclusion:

The book 7 habits of highly effective people are based on personality and perceptions. It guides
about self-improvement, self-help and popular psychology for successful living in the world.
It discusses problems and techniques to tackle different situations and finally focuses to
integrate certain principles and habits into human nature and basic character. The book
illustrates common human values such as moral up gradation and gives a message to be a good
and proactive to deal with daily life issues. The book has a clear objectivity, conciseness and
usefulness for the generations to come. Principles discussed by the author are universal in
nature and inspire everyone. The books talk about human conditions, the inter relationship,
values, family system and interpersonal communication. The book has beautifully expressed
the presence of contrasting beliefs, views and thoughts.