Stephen Covey’s best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has been influential in the shaping of iLEAD’s approach to lifelong learning. Regular implementation of these habits is encouraged to support positive interactions with oneself and others.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Proactive people take responsibility by focusing their time and energy on things they can control instead of reacting to or worrying about conditions over which they have little or no control.
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind
Each day, task, or project should begin with a clear vision of one’s desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing proactive muscles to make things happen.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 3 is about life management — defining one’s purpose, values, roles, and priorities.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. A win-win approach means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood
This habit helps transform communication by actively listening with the intent to understand another’s perspective versus filtering things through one’s own life experiences and frame of reference.
Habit 6: Synergize
This habit promotes cooperation, teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. It thrives on the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Living a life in balance means taking the necessary time to renew one’s self. To “sharpen the saw” means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.