Submitted by WELD Intern, Staci Emm, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Book Content:

This book was first published in 1990 and is still recognized as one of the best books in leadership development.  The book goes through a series of seven habits which are explained thoroughly through personal family situations, business scenarios and teaching experiences.  Before Covey even begins with the seven habits he explains in detail what he calls a "paradigm shift."  Covey explains that a paradigm is the way we see the world in the sense of perceiving, understanding and interpreting.  The author then takes you through scenarios explaining the seven habits using the technique of paradigm shifts which topics include:  personal vision, personal leadership, time management, interpersonal leadership, empathetic communication, creative cooperation and balanced self renewal.

Personal Perspectives:

Stephen Covey definitely makes you think about yourself and how you interact with people on a daily basis whether in your personal life or your professional life.  This was easy reading, but it is not a quick tip kind of book. It takes time to read. Covey keeps your attention with scenarios and makes you think how you could become more effective.  He defines a habit as "the intersection of knowledge, skill and desire."  Covey feels that in order to make something a habit, you have to have knowledge, skill and desire all together.  If you are missing one, you will not be as effective.

Covey focuses on change and human interaction.  This book was especially significant to me with the whole issue of moving from being totally independent into interdependence.  Interdependence is the paradigm of "we" and "we" can do great things.  The idea that it takes independent people together to create interdependence makes sense to me and can be used in my personal and professional human interactions.

Overall, I felt this was a good book.  It was not the kind of book that I could read quickly.  I had to take time to read it and apply it to daily life.  The ideas, scenarios and teaching are easily applicable to personal and professional life.  Sometimes, when working in Extension, we need to take the time for a few extra thoughts and world views.