In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, self help guru Stephen Covey reveals a large number of profound (yet rooted firmly in common sense) concepts to promote personal emotional growth or “effectiveness” as he calls it. He explains the concrete principles underlying humanity (principles like integrity, honestly, and compassion) as objective truths that govern success and the achievement of personal growth and stability. Spiritually, these principles are common to all religions and lie at the very core of popular myth, parable and holy texts.
To apply these principles, certain mindsets are required. For example, the mindset of “Win-Win” is required to see the possibility of mutual benefit in one’s actions and then to properly work interdependently with other people. All the advice given by Mr. Covey stresses long term commitment and long term growth. This advice is then applied to a number of practical areas including business, parenting and personal relationships. He refutes determinism and argues for “fundamental human endowments” that set us apart as truly free actors. We are free to choose and to take command of our own life. The motivation to this end comes from advised introspection to seek out our true sub-conscious needs. He stresses self-knowledge to prioritize our lives around what is most fulfilling. He then applies this concept to the group with interdependent group leadership.
It might sound too good to be true or it might sound like obvious common sense, but, Mr. Covey’s understanding of the human condition provides hard objective ground for the naturally relativist cynic to stand on. His normative assertions of the goodness of things like integrity, truthfulness, and understanding are indisputable. He applies these principles practically to modern life and provides strategies for cultivating ourselves and our relationships. For someone interested in understanding the fundamental essences of human life and existence from a practical perspective, Mr. Covey’s work is a must read.
