7 Habits that can make you a success

Book Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Group success is helped when the members begin using the same language. Dr. Stephen R. Covey has given us a language that will help move the group toward success. This best selling book has been very useful in helping establish work groups. While the title of the book  is The 7 Habbits of Highly Effective People, they can  also apply to Teams. [See my blog on Team Development].

This book has been used in various contexts including youth development and leader development. This books will be a valuable tool in your tool box.

These habits are live changing:

1. Be Proactive - don't wait for things to happen, make things happen.

2. Begin with the end in mind - make a plan and work the plan.

3. Put first things first - prioritize your efforts and focus on them.

4. Think win win - remember that we are all in this together.

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood - let others know that you value their input - we need each other.

6. Synergize - we need others strengths to balance our weaknesses.

7. Sharpen the saw - Continually renew the physical, spiritual, mental, social, and emotional parts of our nature.

Covey's follow-up book  gives us an eighth habit of effective people that can also be adapted to teams.

8. Discover your voice and inspire others to discover theirs - voice is a person's unique personal significance that lies at the intersection of our talent, passion, need, and conscience.

Covey is a true scholar and there is much more in these books than the habits of effective people. Both books would be a great addition to any development library.

• Covey, S. (2004). 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Kindle ed.), NY: Rosetta Book.
• Covey S. (2004). The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. NY: Free Press.

What are among your "must reads"?

Leave me a comment below on these books or your favorite.