The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Paperback, 1989)

7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

Why do some people seem to achieve both professional success and deep personal fulfillment, while others reach their goals and still feel empty? Stephen R. Covey, a leadership consultant and educator, believed the answer lies in character and in living by timeless principles. His book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has sold tens of millions of copies and shaped leadership training in companies, schools and governments worldwide.

Covey defines a habit as the intersection of knowledge, skill and desire: knowing what to do, how to do it and wanting to do it. He argues that effectiveness depends on balancing results with the capacity to produce them, which he illustrates with the fable of the goose that laid golden eggs.

The first three habits focus on self-mastery. Be proactive: recognize that between stimulus and response lies the freedom to choose. Begin with the end in mind: define what you value and want your life to stand for. Put first things first: organize your time around priorities rather than urgent demands. The next three habits focus on working effectively with others: think win-win, seek first to understand and then to be understood, and synergize, creating solutions greater than either party could reach alone. The seventh habit, sharpen the saw, emphasizes regular renewal of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

Covey illustrates each habit with stories from his family, clients and teaching, and includes application suggestions at the end of each chapter.

Profound and practical, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People remains a cornerstone of personal and professional development.