(2015-2017)

Applied OB Assignment on

Submitted To-

Ms. Nivedita Sharma

Asst. Prof.

Submitted By-

Vatsala Tewari

MFM-II

Book-Review

Book Summary

In THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, Stephen R.

Covey presents a framework for personal effectiveness. In the

book, covey explained that in order to make real changes in our

life, attitude and behaviors, we must first make a paradigm shift

in the way we see the world. It is like in photography, the

process of stepping back to try to see things as they actually are

without the slant that our “lens” puts on the situation.

The author proposed what he calls an “inside-out” procedure to

make changes and improve ones’ life. He probably chose this

name because we must first work on habits that are completely

inside us, and then we work on habits that involve our interactions

with other people. By developing each of the 7 habits, in the given order he suggests, one can

make major, long-term improvements in their life. The author also groups the habits and

orders them this way to illustrate the importance of how you view your place in society. He

discusses the differences between living being independent, dependent, and interdependent.

To talk about the execution of this book, the writing is very accessible and still does a thorough

job of fully presenting the information. Author even uses diagrams and pictures to help

elaborate certain points he is making. Each habit is well discussed, and there are numerous

stories and examples throughout each chapter to solidify his message. The 7 habits, according

to my understanding are listed below, briefly.

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Change starts from within, and highly effective people make the decision to improve their

lives through the things that they can influence rather than by simply reacting to external

forces.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Develop a principle-centered personal mission statement. Extend the mission statement into

long-term goals based on personal principles.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Habit 3: Put First Things First

This is basically PERSONAL MANAGEMENT, the exercise of independent will to create a life

congruent with your values, goals and mission. Spend time doing what fits into your personal

mission, observing the proper balance between production and building production capacity.

Identify the key roles that you take on in life, and make time for each of them.

Habit 4: Think Win/Win

Win/Win is one of six total philosophies of human interaction. It implies to seek agreements

and relationships that are mutually beneficial. In cases where a "win/win" deal cannot be

achieved, accept the fact that agreeing to make "no deal" may be the best alternative. In

developing an organizational culture, one must be sure to reward win/win behavior among

employees and avoid unintentionally the win/lose behavior.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

It basically emphasizes on Empathic Listening. One must first seek to understand the other

person, and only then try to be understood. Stephen Covey presents this habit as the most

important principle of interpersonal relations. Effective listening is not simply echoing what

the other person has said through the lens of one's own experience. Rather, it is putting

oneself in the perspective of the other person, listening empathically for both feeling and

meaning.

Habit 6: Synergize

Also referred to as, Principle of Creative Cooperation. Through trustful communication, one

must find ways to leverage individual differences to create a whole that is greater than the

sum of the parts. Through mutual trust and understanding, one often can solve conflicts and

find a better solution than would have been obtained through either person's own solution.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Also referred as the Principle of Balanced Self-Renewal. It implies to take time out from

production to build production capacity through personal renewal of the physical, mental,

social/emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Maintain a balance among these dimensions.

From Dependence to Interdependence

The Seven Habits move us through the following stages:

Dependence: the paradigm under which we are born, relying upon others to take care of us.

Independence: the paradigm under which we can make our own decisions and take care of

ourselves.

Interdependence: the paradigm under which we cooperate to achieve something that cannot

be achieved independently.

Our character is a composite of our habits. Changing habits is hard, but can be done by

tremendous commitment. A good habit can be defined as the combination of knowledge, skill

and desire. Our objective is to move progressively on a maturity continuum from

dependence to independence to interdependence.

Habits 1, 2 and 3 (Be Proactive, Begin with The End in Mind, Put First Things First) deal

with self-mastering. They are the "private victories" required for character growth. Private

victories precede public victories.

Habits 4, 5 and 6 are the more personality-oriented "public victories" of Teamwork,

Cooperation and Communication.

Habit 7 is the habit of Renewal, creating an upward spiral of growth.