7 Habits of Highly Effectrive People

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, describes the differences between personality ethic and character ethic. The character ethic is the idea that a person advances in basis of their character. This was culturally the main idea expressed in the United States up until about World War I, when poplar literature began to focus more on short-cuts and easy ways to manipulate situations or to get what you want. Character ethic depends on deep changes within each of us, while the personality ethic falls back on methods or techniques. The personality ethic does not challenge us and does not bring about deep changes in us. "The problem with relying on the Personality Ethic is that unless the basic underlying paradigms are right, simply changing outward behavior is not effective (Covey 2010)."

Paradigms are the mental maps that we use to describe the world around us. The key of a paradigm isn't much in the nature of a thing as much as our perception of the thing. Covey uses the example of a person in Chicago with a map of Detroit trying to find their way around the city. No matter how hard they try, they will not be successful. In order to maintain correct paradigms it is essential to keep an open mind and to realize that no matter how much we see, there is always more to the picture. "If our paradigm is not close to reality, our attitudes, behaviors and responses will not be effective or appropriate (Gray 1997)."

Proactive is the first of the seven habits written by Covey. Proactive involves acting in advance of a future situation, rather than just reacting. It means taking control and making things happen rather than adjusting to a situation or waiting for something to happen.

Since the beginning of time people have been managing other people and organizations. The Bible is perhaps the most conclusive leadership manual written. "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)." Throughout our daily lives we can notice that some people actively take the initiative to improve their current circumstances or create new ones while others sit by passively reacting to situations. According to Luke 19:10 The Marketplace, which is the heart of the nation, has been redeemed and now needs to be reclaimed. In Matthew 16:18 we are called to take the kingdom of God to where the gates of hell are for Jesus to build His Church. Management is the process of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives. Leaders establish direction by developing a vision of the future; then they align people