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The Seven Habits
model of management and leadership guru Stephen Covey
is a theory that is applicable to our personal, social as well as our
working life. However the Seven Habits framework is highly applicable for leaders and
managers. According to Covey, our paradigms will affect how we interact
with others, which in turn will affect how they interact with us. So,
Covey argues, any effective self-help program must begin with an
"inside-out" approach, rather than looking at our problems as "being out
there" (an outside-in approach). We must start by examining our own
character, paradigms, and motives.
The Seven Habits
of Covey are:
1. Be proactive. This is the ability to control one's
environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case.
Managers need to control their own environment, using self-determination
and the power to respond to various circumstances.
2. Begin with the end in mind. This means that the manager needs
to be able to see the desired outcome and concentrate on activities
which help in achieving that end.
3. Put first things first. Managers need to personally manage
themselves and implement activities which aim to achieve the second
habit – looking to the desired outcome. Covey says that habit 2. is the first, or mental creation;
habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.
4. Think win-win. This is the most important
aspect of interpersonal leadership because most achievements are based
on cooperative effort, therefore the aim needs to be win–win solutions
for all.
5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. By
developing and maintaining positive relationships through good
communications, the manager can be understood, and can understand the
subordinates.
6. Synergize. This is the habit of creative
cooperation - the principle that collaboration often achieves more than
could be achieved by individuals working independently towards attaining
a purpose.
7. Sharpen the saw. Learning from previous experience and
encouraging others to do the same. Covey sees development as one of the
most important aspects in being able to cope with challenges and aspire
to higher levels of ability.
12manage has a Seven Habits Forum and Special Interest Group.
Compare with the Seven Habits of Covey:
Seven Surprises
| PAEI
model | Change
Management |
SMART |
Path-Goal |
Leadership Continuum
| Theory X Theory Y
| 4
Dimensions of Relational Work |
Results-Based
Leadership |
Result Oriented Management
| Leadership Styles
More management models
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