Resumo de The 8th Habit - Stephen Covey

Abstract: The 8th Habit is a pathway from effectiveness to greatness with focus on positive thinking, innovation and introspection to find our own voice and strength within us. It also suggests us a way to inspire others around us to find theirs own voices ?passion, talent, need and conscience. This book is far more than ?The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?,
Covey has analyzed many real life scenarios of emerging knowledge-worker age, and brought out why today?s new realities require a whole new habit for being effective .He has highlighted significance of shared vision , missionary zeal, innovative leadership , a new thinking, a new mind-set, a new skill-set, and being proactive to achieve excellence. He brings out that to be a world class company, it must excel in management practices ? Strategy, Execution, Culture and Structure.
The 8th Habit book comes with a DVD which has 16 short inspirational movies that co-relate with the scenarios contained in the book. Covey advises the readers to read this book in small sessions and with concentration. One may read each chapter twice to get real meaning and depth of Covey?s thought. He even suggests you to read a chapter and put the book aside , apply that much to your real life happenings around you , view one of the clips on the DVD and send him the feedback, if you like. For instance, the movie on Legacy is about - Living, Loving, Learning and leaving a Legacy and it inspires you put your best efforts in every day life.

The author has brilliantly explained a real life situation in every chapter, given you food for thought to draw your conclusions .While this book is a pathfinder for senior management in business, it is equally thought provoking for other people who too desire to achieve great heights in their lives. He makes a shift from Bird?s eye view concept of leadership to Worm?s eye view of getting closer, judge it and DO it. It is leading from the front.
With globalization and pace of technological growth ,being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option but a survival in today's world. So many people feel frustrated, discouraged, unappreciated, and undervalued with little or no sense of voice or unique contribution. In Knowledge Worker Age, we are to continuously thrive, innovate, excel, lead and move from effectiveness to greatness and create history.
The 8th Habit brings out some common contradictions which are faced by many people and suggests simple solutions :

People want happiness, good health, good name, good relationships, but also want to keep their fast lifestyle of comforts and convenient habits. Covey points out that relationships are built on mutual trust, but most people think more in terms of - self ,me ,mine, my and have no feeling of we, us, ours. Let one demand less rights , own more responsibility and make sacrifices for the needy.
Management wants more output for fewer resources and similarly employees want more of "what's in it for me" while putting in less time and effort. Covey suggest a way of empowering the employees and having win-win situation in partnerships . He emphasizes on shared vision.
There are six execution gaps- clarity, commitment, translation, enabling, synergy, accountability and these can be solved by knowledge workers. Similarly, those who want to reach the summit, must develop three main components of Mental Intelligence (IQ)-Systematic and disciplined study and education, Self-awareness, Learning by teaching and doing . However, more than IQ they need to develop five main components of Emotional Intelligence(EI)- Self awareness, Personal motivation, Self regulation, Empathy and Social skills.

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