| Becoming a leader is not simply a matter of | | | | creation, "putting first things first" is the action |
| ordering and dictating instruction to people below | | | | point. |
| you. Rather, leadership should be viewed as an art | | | | 4. Always think "win-win" |
| of communicating and learning from other | | | | On the other hand, another principle you need to |
| individuals. You are probably already aware that | | | | remember is having a mental attitude of a |
| there are many kinds of leadership techniques | | | | "win-win" situation. Covey names this principle as |
| that is each effective in its own way. However, | | | | "interpersonal leadership" wherein your need other |
| whatever the form of leadership a person utilizes, | | | | people to reach your goals and so that you can |
| one similarity among them is that they will learn | | | | help them reach theirs. Covey believes that there |
| more from leading others to do their job properly | | | | is enough resources to go around so, people need |
| because they will discover their communication | | | | to take a cooperative approach rather than |
| style and learn from their mistakes and the | | | | challenge each other where one would become |
| mistakes of other people. | | | | the loser. |
| It is safe to conclude that you can actually learn | | | | 5. Seek to understand and to be understood |
| more when you are given the task of teaching | | | | This is another habit that is essential in today's |
| someone else, because you would need to review | | | | modern world: communication. Communication is |
| all the theories and understand the concepts | | | | very powerful and it can either help you achieve |
| better before you can teach it to another person. | | | | success or lose it. Covey has a simple formula for |
| Being given the responsibility to teach is a heavy | | | | this, you must first "diagnose before you |
| one so, it is really no wonder that leaders who | | | | prescribe." While being a very simple principle, |
| teach effectively turn out to be very effective | | | | communication is very effective and it is an |
| and become great leaders later on. | | | | important aspect in developing relationships in all |
| With this in mind, it is inevitable for the instructor | | | | aspects of a person's life. |
| to learn from teaching other people because they | | | | In today's world, you may wonder why people |
| become involved in their own learning process. | | | | have such a difficult time in communicating with |
| This kind of teaching exposure can be described | | | | others especially with the availability of different |
| as an effective leadership method which is | | | | electronic gadgets such as cell phones, e-mail to |
| participatory and experimental. From teaching | | | | SMS tools such as TeleFlip, and voicemail to text |
| other people, the leader or the "instructor" will also | | | | tools such as SimulSays and CallWave. People |
| be able to discover his competencies as well as | | | | should realize that communicating with other |
| his strengths and weaknesses. It would also | | | | people is essential and they need to use all the |
| develop his interpersonal skills because as a leader | | | | tools available to them to improve their |
| he would know how to effectively communicate | | | | relationships. |
| with other people to get the message across. | | | | 6. Synergize |
| It is also interesting to note that the process of | | | | Complementary to number 5, this is the principle |
| learning by teaching also follows the process of | | | | wherein cooperating with others is the key to |
| Steve Covey's formula of the Seven Habits of | | | | becoming a successful leader and a successful |
| Highly Effective People. These steps include: | | | | person. Covey believes that the "whole" meaning |
| 1. Becoming Pro-active | | | | more than a single person, is greater than its |
| Basically, becoming pro-active means that you | | | | "parts" which is a single person. Each person has |
| control the external environment you live in | | | | something to contribute so they can make the |
| instead of letting it control you. You need to | | | | whole stronger and the way to success easier to |
| follow the principles of self-determination, the | | | | navigate. |
| power of choice, and the right to decide your | | | | 7. Sharpening the saw |
| response to stimulus and circumstances. In the | | | | Lastly, Covey champions the principle of renewing |
| same way, you can become pro-active in helping | | | | one's self. This habit is essential because it can |
| other people learn. | | | | have an effect on the other habits. Self-renewal is |
| 2. Beginning with a goal in mind | | | | necessary for a person to grow and be |
| Steve Covey calls this principle of having personal | | | | encouraged. There are four parts in renewing |
| leadership; you need to learn from yourself so | | | | one's self including the spiritual, the physical, the |
| that you can move forward to your aims. | | | | mental, and the emotional parts. All these aspects |
| Because when you develop the habit of focusing | | | | of you need to be fed and developed so that you |
| you attention on relevant activities, you can build | | | | will always remain sharp and in-charge of your |
| a foundation that will enable you to avoid | | | | own life. |
| distractions and instead, focus on the goal to | | | | As you can see, the seven habits of highly |
| become successful. | | | | effective people certainly give us a wider |
| 3. "Put first things first" | | | | perspective of how to become more effective |
| Meanwhile, Covey names this principle as the | | | | and productive in today's world. However, you |
| "personal management." This is about organizing | | | | should also note that these principles are universal |
| your activities and your life so that it will | | | | and they will stand the test of time because |
| complement the goals you set for yourself in | | | | human nature will remain constant no matter the |
| number 2. While having goals is more of a mental | | | | era they live in. |