The legacy of US motivation pioneer Stephen Covey

Stephen R. Covey, who made his name teaching and encouraging millions through his bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, died July 16 at the age of 79. A hugely influential management guru, renowned writer, speaker, academic and humanist, Covey leaves lasting business legacy.

 

Considered a pioneer in the self-help genre aimed at helping readers become more productive in their lives, he had an enormous impact on both the corporate world and the personal lives of millions.

 

We focus on his best-seller The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, that sold more than 20 millions copies in 38 languages, and became a blueprint for personal development since it was published in 1989.

 

The 'Seven Habits' are a remarkable set of inspirational and aspirational standards for anyone who seeks to live a full, purposeful and good life, and are applicable today more than ever, as the business world becomes more attuned to humanist concepts. We remember the Covey’s personality and way of life through his well-known 'Seven Habits':

 

1. Be proactive

This is the ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances.

 

2. Begin with the end in mind

The habit of personal leadership. Leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.

 

3. Put first things first

The habit of personal management. This is about organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.

 

4. Think win-win

The habit of interpersonal leadership. Necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. Win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.

 

5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood

One of the great maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life.

 

6. Synergize

The habit of creative co-operation. The principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.

 

7. Sharpen the saw

The habit of self renewal. It necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.

 

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Over past decades Covey preached about honesty and integrity leadership and has taken on helping around the world thousands of individuals, teams and companies. The legacy of Stephen Covey will live on. His ideas have shaped leadership, management, and personal development in profound ways.

 

Covey’s legacy will live on through the books he’s written, the knowledge he has shared with the world, and the lives he has impacted. He leaves a lasting legacy that has forever shaped ideas around how we invest our time, focus on what’s important, empower people, and lift each other up.