


I prefer to talk about universal principles and natural laws that are more absolute. I don't talk much about ethics and values because to me those words imply situational behaviors, subjective beliefs, social mores, cultural norms, or relative truths. “We must never become too busy sawing to take time to sharpen the saw.Real character development begins with the humble recognition that we are not in charge, that principles ultimately govern. “Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have–you” Recognize the skills and assets you do have, and enhance them with practice.

To sharpen the saw is to always seek improvement. “When mutual understanding and respect are present, the spirit of synergy inevitable starts to develop.” “Synergy is better than my way or your way. “Synergy: The combined effect of individuals in collaboration that exceeds the sum of their individual effects.” Find ways to collaborate with others, especially those who think differently than you. Synergy is the concept that two ideas are always better than one.

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand they listen with the intent to reply.” “ If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Listen to others and seek out viewpoints that are different from your own. Habit 5: Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood “If I focus on my own win and don’t even consider your point of view, there’s no basis for any kind of productive relationship.” To the winner it might look like success for a while, but in the long run, it breeds resentment and distrust.” “When one side benefits more than the other, that’s a win-lose situation. Always seek out ways for relationships to be mutually beneficial. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”Īll of your interactions should be more than just a quick one-and-done. “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Spend your time on things that are important and eliminate that which does not serve you. “Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you.” Habit 3: Put First Things First It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.” “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. “If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.” Habit 2: Begin With the End In Mindīeginning with the end in mind means that we need to understand our destination clearer before we start our journey to get there. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities.” Stop blaming everything on external circumstances and recognize your own ability to be “response-able.” When Covey says to be proactive, he means to take responsibility for your life. Stephen Covey Quotes On His 7 Habits Habit 1: Be Proactive If you find this information extra interesting, you may wish to purchase the book and take some time to conquer the whole thing. That’s why we’ve summarized each of the 7 habits with some of our favorite quotes from Covey himself. And even if you can’t find the time to read the book in its entirety, there are still a ton of lessons to be learned from Covey’s words. He was known for his words on success, with his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peoplebecame one of the most well-known business pieces of the twentieth century. Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker.
