Analysis of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey - Book Report/Review Example

? Book Report on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Brief summary of the book The 7 Habits of HighlyEffective People written by Stephen R. Covey is one of the best seller books providing very useful directions and contributions within the domain of behavioral sciences. It points towards personality development of the individuals required for achieving success with principles of effectiveness. Covey has stated that a quick fix prescription for personal growth is not a potential solution. If individuals work hard, then the principles will be acquired within them. Subsequently, through proper learning, thinking and implementing they will teach others in suitable manner. This will result in internalization of the principles. Such internalization will lead to various fundamental changes because they will affect the character and ensure better performance. The personality of an individual is formed as a result of specific behaviors which are internalized. These behaviors are needed for the purpose of thinking but they represent little success strategies or useful strategies to cope up with life (Covey, 2004, pp. 6-7). Acquiring new habits promotes adults incorporate fundamental changes within their character. The seven principles in the book are not basically original thoughts. The 7 habits or principles are stated to be self evident, which stands in the way of arguing against them. Covey has analyzed that all highly effective people and effective organizations have utilized the 7 habits or principles to some extent for the purpose of attaining a sustained success rate. Covey states that the 7 principles refer to common knowledge and they are not necessarily common practice (Covey, 2004.). The human beings by nature are basically very reactive creatures inclined towards satisfying their self interest. Human beings are capable of much higher thoughts and actions and through hard work and internalization of 7 habits, one develops a proactive attitude. In this way the human beings are able to take charge of their destinies and also can influence other people for the collective good of the people (Covey, 2004, p. 7). These seven principles are rigorously required by the individuals as well as organizations all over the world for the purpose of attaining success. This can be applied in various areas which will lead to the valuation of a large number of real life phenomenons which are required for attaining success and attaining milestones in life. 2. Statement of the problem In today’s organizations, the problem of employee motivation is one of the biggest constraints causing a robust decline in productivity. Optimum targets of the organizations are to maximize profits and enhance work productivity. Leaders are required to maintain a most advantageous leadership style which would be targeted towards increasing the work productivity and motivate the workers to the maximum possible levels. Dynamic success of organizations depends on all these factors. Now, application of the seven principles as recommended by Covey is required in order to solve problems with regard to employee motivation as well as increasing productivity at workplace (Covey, 2004, p. 77). 3. Background Daily activities of human beings are guided by a predefined mental process which direct towards accomplishment of various goals in life. Throughout this process, they take part in personal leadership which guides them in taking control of our own lives. Basically, the models of execution occur in two ways and they occur in a twofold manner. Firstly, it takes place in the mind before executing them into the real life. Thus, depending upon the cognitive model, the individuals can basically structure and restructure the specifications of the model before materializing them. Controlling the creation, individuals are able to mould the way of execution and also take responsibility for the outcome. Thus, within an organization, attribute of leadership assumes the apex position which answers the purpose of accomplishments of the organizational leadership. Lastly, from the perspective of productivity, one may say that leadership helps the management in doing things right and ultimately results in attainment of success (Covey, 2004, p. 23). 4. Potential actions that must be taken and expected results As has been discussed above, it becomes evident that leadership is a necessary condition for proper management which ultimately leads to the success within organizations. In an organization there is a requirement of employee stratification at different levels and they are guided by respective supervisors. The task of a supervisor is directed towards executing things effectively in the right dimension and the task of the supervisor is quite a complex also. The roles, skills, knowledge, abilities of supervisors are required to the maximum levels for attainment of success (Covey, 2004, p. 25). The supervisors form a vital part in every management team and they act as a link between middle level and executive level of management and that of the employees who work under them. The supervisors with a unique combination of technical competence, individual energy as well as the strong abilities are necessary for motivating the employees within the organizations. In organizations, for instance, the employees often are found to be talking nicely about their peers and supervisors in front of them, but are often found to be taking out their frustrations behind their back. This may seem to be a very common phenomenon but it actually hinders employee motivation within organizations. It may be the case that some individuals may be gaining temporary pleasure from making somebody down, but basically, it leads to the weakening of relationship which provides displeasure in association and hampers work productivity adversely (Covey, 2004, p. 23). Therefore, leaders require stating that a requirement of integrity is basically an interdependent reality required by the supervisors to implement within the organizations. This will enhance the motivation of the employees and ultimately lead to success within the organization. When the leaders would be doing this, the remaining people would also be following the same. In this manner, people would come to trust and strengthen motivational dimension. Statement of Covey can be mentioned in this case where he expresses that, “people will come to trust you. They may not at first appreciate the honest confrontational experiences such integrity might generate. Confrontation takes considerable courage, and many people would prefer to take the course of least resistance, belittling and criticizing, betraying confidences, or participating in gossip about others behind their backs” (Covey, 2004, p. 25). 5. Limitations One of the limitations in the application of these principles is that generation of trust. It is one of the most difficult issues in enhancing motivation among the employees. In certain areas, the individuals overestimate its values and end up in providing sub-optimal results. The applications of the principles, if done simultaneously, might not yield fruitful results and successful implementation of the same requires a rigorous scrutiny. But actually, the positive results far outweigh the limitations. The person who is truly effective and possesses the reverence towards recognizing his own perceptual limitations should overcome all obstacles and will disseminate valuable resources through close interactions with other people. The person generally recognizes the differences and directs him or herself towards understanding the reality (Covey, 2004, p. 24). 6. Conclusion The above discussion centers on the application of Stephen’s Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and the utilization of its principles in real life organizational behavior problem. The personality of an individual gets internalized through the application of principles of Covey. In organizations, trust generation is highly essential and should be implemented by the supervisors. It will increase the motivation of the employees and will establish successful leadership and potential growth. Reference Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Personal lessons in personal change. London, UK: Simon & Schuster. Read More