Stephen Covey One of the "Others" Who Will Help You Succeed

The Utah Valley Chapter of the BYU Management Society awarded Dr. Stephen R. Covey its Pioneer in Leadership Award last night. He shared his current research with us. We rediscovered why Time Magazine called him one of the 25 most influential Americans in the 20th century.

My father first introduced me to Stephen Covey in the 1960's. My wife took several classes from Dr. Covey while she was in college. I attend every presentation I can. I changed my behavior and focus in life each time I read on of his several books. His 7 habits helped me achieve professional and personal success and satisfaction.

Last night Dr. Covey explained our need to grow as a whole person. He defined four parts of our being: the body, the heart, the mind, and the spirit. Each part strives to fulfill an imperative. The body strives to live, the heart to love, the mind to learn, and the spirit to leave a legacy. He reviewed how using industrial age management styles of control and restriction will deflate organizational performance. He highlighted how using management styles that release the human potential enhance both human and organizational performance.

He illustrated how the first three of the 7 habits of highly effective people (be proactive, begin with the end in mind, and first things first) lead to a private victory. He demonstrated how the second three habits (seek first to understand then to be understood, synergy, and seek for win-win negotiation) lead to the public victory. He told how sharpening the saw circumscribes the other six habits to keep us alert.

Then, he emphasized how the 8th habit transforms our effectiveness into greatness. He showed us children in Singapore, Alabama, and other locations who discovered the Leadership in Me. His work includes giving children a new vision of their potential and inner strength.

I don't have room to describe all that he shared with us. I suggest you visit his web site www.stephencovey.com to learn more. Dr. Stephen R. Covey is definitely one the others who want to help you achieve your goals.