7

ABOUT THE BOOK

Published in 1989, The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People is a self-help book written
by Stephen Covey that has helped shape
leaders all around the globe with 25 million
copies sold and translated to 38 different
languages. This book provides step-by-step
actions we can take to achieve holistic
effectiveness.
Before we begin,
lets look
at some
definitions..
 HABIT
A habit is an unconscious
pattern of behaviour
acquired by frequent
repetition.
 PARADIGM
Paradigm is an
assumption, perception,
frame of reference.
 Chapter One: Inside-Out

The surfacing lesson in this chapter is that the

key to achieving goals that are out of reach is
to win from within. We must first focus on the
things that we can control. Painful problems
are usually fruits of our actions, and actions
are a fruit of our character.
Character Ethics Personality Ethics
- Primary traits - Secondary traits
- Integrity - Positive mental attitude
- Humility - Public relationship
techniques
The elements of the
Character Ethic are
primary traits while
those of the Personality
Ethic are secondary.
While secondary traits may help
one to play the game to succeed
in some specific circumstances,
for long-term success both are
necessary. One's character is
what is most visible in long-
term relationships.
To illustrate the difference
between primary and
secondary traits, Covey
offers the following
example:
Suppose you are in Chicago and
are using a map to find a
particular in the city. You may
have excellent secondary skills
in map reading and navigation,
but will never find your
destination if you are using a
map of Detroit.
In this example, getting the right
map is a necessary primary
element before your secondary
skills can be used effectively.
 THE POWER OF A
PARADIGM
Paradigm is our map
• Reality, the way things are, where are we now.
• Value, the way things should be, where do we
want to be

Paradigm determines
• Our attitudes
• Our behaviors
What to do with our Paradigms?
- Be aware of them
- Take responsibilities of them,
examine them, test them against
reality
- Listen to others, be open to their
perspectives
Paradigm shift - "See" things differently

Paradigm shift is powerful

• Fundamentally change our
attitudes and behaviors
• The only way for us to make
significant changes
Eg. from center Earth to center
Sun, Regionalism to
globalization, etc
 Seeing and Being
Being is seeing in the human
dimensions. What we see is highly
related with what we are. We can’t
go very far to change our seeing
without simultaneously changing
and being or vice- versa.
Principle- Centered Paradigm
Principles are like lighthouse. It is the idea
that people are at the best and most
successful at reaching their goal.
Principles are the guidelines to humans
that are proven to have enduring,
permanent values. The correct maps are
principle centered.
 What's the "correct map"?

Principles
 Real, unchanging, unarguable and self-
evident as natural laws
 Universally applicable among different
societies and religions

Examples
Only if you are trustworthy, you can earn
long term trust

Principles determine the results

"Correct map" are Principle-Centered
 Principles of growth
Growth happens
in life little by
little
– Baby steps
– Growth can be seen
– Don’t skip steps
– Takes time
 How to change the "map"?
- Inside-out
• Start with yourself
 Paradigms
 Characters
 Motives
• Private victory precedes public victory
 Keep Promise to ourselves before to others
 Improve ourselves before we improve our
relationships
 Work on our character before we work on
personalities
 The New Paradigm

The new level of thinking

–Principle-centered
–Character-based
–Inside-out
 New level of thinking
"The significant
problems we face
cannot be solved at
the same level of
thinking we were at
when we created
them"

- Albert Einstein
The INSIDE- OUT approach entails:

• Making improvements • Adjusting your

to your character before paradigms, or how you
personality see the world in order to
• Focusing on principles change your action
• Improving yourself
SOLUTION TO YOUR
PROBLEM:
CHANGE THE
WAY YOU SEE
THINGS