Book review of The 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen R. Covey: The 7 habits of highly effective people Part 1 (An Overview)

In this chapter, the author would like to introduce the way to raise a good habit. He defines that an individual character is a composite of habits. Habits are powerful factor in our lives. Plus if you use it effectively, you can establish effectiveness in our lives. The author defines a habit as the intersection of knowledge, skill and desire. In a living process, all the man kind needs to survive and adapts the environment. We need to break through to new levels and move to a higher position. 7 habits are the natural laws of growth from dependence to independence to interdependence. Sometimes, it is a painful process but the process produces happiness. Tomorrow builds today, you can gain happiness if you can build better futures.

In this chapter, I pick up a movie of “The King’s Speech”. It is a 2010 British historical drama film. This movie introduces Prince Albert, Duke of York how to overcome his personal difficult of stammer. He tried so many methods to cure his voice which were not successful. Until one day, he met an Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. Lionel Logue provided several lessons to cure him and became friends. His brother King Edward VIII would like to marry a divorced American women and abdicated the throne. Prince Albert became King George VI and carried out a radio broadcast on Britain’s declaration of war on Germany in 1939.

The author indicates that effective habit is the maturity continuum. All the successful leader has to go through dependence stage, independence stage and interdependence stage. King George VI went through those stages. In dependence stage, Prince Albert refused to carry any speech in the public. In independence stage, Prince Albert took several speech lessons to cure his stammer. Interdependence people can combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their great success. In the end of the movie, King George VI carried out a sensational radio broadcast and lifted up all the British soldiers to fight against Germany.

The author defines the principle of effectiveness. Effectiveness lies in the balance of P/PC. P stands for production of desired results, and PC stands for production capability, the ability or asset that produces a great result. Usually, the bosses focus on P ( the result ), they forget the PC ( production capability ). Human asset is also a big investment in the company. The author introduces that the PC principle is to always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers. Prince Albert, Duke of York tried several treatments in the early stage such as speaking with marble in his mouth. He didn’t get improvement at all. But he didn’t give up and he searched for a professional speech therapist. Misunderstanding and arguments were generated in the early speech lessons. Prince Albert released his honor and treated Lionel Logue as a friend. Finally, he overcame his stammer and built up his self esteem.