THE EIGHTH HABIT BY STEPHEN COVEY
INTRODUCTION :
The 8th habit of highly effective people is: “Find your voice and inspire others to do likewise.”
This habit is not just an add-on to the original seven habits but represents a deeper
dimension of effectiveness that enhances the performance of each of the other seven habits.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
Private Victory (Self-Mastery):
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
Public Victory (Relationships & Teamwork):
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
Personal Renewal and Growth:
7. Sharpen the Saw.
GENUINE HAPPINESS:
Genuine happiness is achieved by developing integrity, which is primarily nurtured through
the first three habits (Private Victories):
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
FIND YOUR VOICE:
- Discover your voice: Identify your unique strengths, talents, passions, and align them with
your values.
- Express your voice: Share your authentic self and talents with others.
- Inspire others to find their voices: Encourage and support others in discovering their own
potential.
I. FOCUS:
To build focus, you need to:
1. Expand your influence:
- Trim Tab Concept: Be a change agent in your sphere of influence. Small actions can
ripple outward.
2. Be trustworthy:
- Trust is built on character and competence, both crucial for sound judgment and wisdom.
3. Build trust:
Emotional Bank Account: Trust is like a bank account where deposits (actions that build
trust) and withdrawals (actions that erode trust) determine the relationship's strength.
- To deposit trust into relationships, consider these actions:
+ Seek first to understand before worrying about being understood.
+ Keep promises.
+ Be open and honest.
+ Be kind, courteous, and considerate.
+ Think win-win.
+ Clarify expectations.
+ Be loyal to those who are absent.
+ Accept apologies.
+ Accept feedback.
+ Forgive.
4. Blend others’ voices:
- The Third Alternative: Look for creative, synergistic solutions that are better than either
party’s initial suggestion. This requires developing skills in listening and empathy.
- Five Levels of Listening:
- Ignoring
- Pretending to listen
- Selective listening
- Attentive listening
- Empathetic listening (listening within the other person's frame of reference)
- Indian Talking Stick Tool: Empathic listening involves understanding the other person's
perspective before expressing your own.
There are two key questions you should ask when trying to develop a workable third
alternative:
1. “Would you be willing to search for another alternative solution that is better than
what either you have proposed or what we have proposed thus far?”
2. “Would you agree to one simple ground rule while we discuss this: No one can
make his or her point until they have restated the other person’s previous point to his or her
satisfaction?”
*You have to build the mindset of searching for the third alternative >>> think win-win.
*You have to build the skill-set of searching for the third alternative >>>
communication (5 levels of listening).
Peace of Conscience Over Peace of Mind:
Covey distinguishes between peace of mind and peace of conscience.
- Peace of mind is temporary and based on honesty, but peace of conscience is rooted in
integrity — the alignment of actions with one’s core values and commitments.
Synergy and Transformation:
- Synergy is not about compromise but about creating solutions that exceed the expectations
of both parties.
- Solutions Continuum:
1.Transaction:
● Win-lose or lose-win solution.
● Compromise.
2. Transformation:
● Mutual understanding ( without agreeing).
● Win-lose or lose-win with increased understanding and clarity.
● Compromise on issue and Synergy in relationship.
● Synergy on issue and in relation.
II. EXECUTION:
To execute effectively:
1. Align goals and systems: Make sure your systems and strategies support your goals.
2. Empower others: Delegate responsibility, trust your team, and foster a culture of
accountability.
Key empowering tools for organizations:
- Win-win agreements between employees and the organization
- Self-evaluation and performance appraisals
- Servant leadership
Closing the Gap Between Focus and Execution:
To bridge the gap between focus and execution in any organization, focus on:
1. The most wildly important goal.
2. Creating a compelling scoreboard that motivates everyone.
3. Translating lofty goals into specific actions.
4. Holding each other accountable for results.
Addressing “The Pain” in Modern Organizations:
“The Pain” refers to the dissatisfaction and frustration many feel in today’s fast-paced,
technology-driven workplace. Covey highlights that organizations can overcome this pain by
helping individuals find their voice and align their personal values with their roles.
"The Problem", in the old era humans were used as a machine, they consider human as an
expense and machine as their assets but now the scenario is completely changed and going
against of the old fashion. For to bring effectiveness and efficiency in work place the
organization need to satisfy their employees on every aspect.
"The Solution" lies in fostering personal growth and facilitating the realization of one’s unique
potential.
A Whole Person’s Needs:
To achieve greatness and fulfillment, we must balance four key components of the human
experience:
1. Physical Body: Need to "live" (Manifestation: Discipline)
2. Mind: Need to "learn" (Manifestation: Vision)
3. "Heart": Need to "love" (Manifestation: Passion)
4. "Spirit": Need to "leave a legacy" (Manifestation: Conscience)
The intersection of your talents, passions, needs, and conscience is where you "find your
voice" ; your true calling in life.
The Four Assumptions for Living a Full Life:
1. For the body: Live as if you’ve had a heart attack.
2. For the mind: Assume the half-life of your profession is two years.
3. For the heart: Speak as if everything you say about another, they can overhear.
4. For the spirit: Live as if you have quarterly visits with your Creator.
Unopened Birth Gifts:
1. The Freedom to Choose (Natural Authority)
2. The Natural Laws of Principled Living (Moral Authority)
3. The Four Intelligences: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual
The Greek Philosophy of Influence:
- Ethos: Build credibility and trust.
- Pathos: Seek first to understand the other’s perspective.
- Logos: Present your own point of view.
Circle of Concern, Circle of Control, and Circle of Influence:
- Circle of Control: What you can control directly (thoughts, beliefs, emotions).
- Circle of Influence: Areas where you can influence outcomes, but not control them.
- Circle of Concern: External factors beyond your control (e.g., weather, economy).
Trim Tab Concept:
A "trim-tab" is a person who can lead change, even from a small position, by focusing on
their circle of influence. Small actions can result in large organizational impacts.
The 7 Levels of Initiative for Self-Empowerment:
A continuum for increasing your circle of influence:
1. Wait until told
2. Ask
3. Make a recommendation
4. State intentions
5. Do it and report regularly
6. Do it and report periodically
7. Just do it
Trust:
Trust is built on character and competence.
- Character: Integrity, maturity, and abundance mentality.
- Competence: Skills, knowledge, and interdependence.
Victimism: Six Metastasizing Cancers:
Covey identifies six behaviors that perpetuate a victim mentality:
1. Criticizing
2. Complaining
3. Comparing
4. Competing
5. Contending
6. Cynicism
These behaviors limit personal and organizational effectiveness.
Modeling Tools:
- Covey’s Time Management Matrix: Focus on Quadrant 2 (important but not urgent tasks) to
reduce stress and improve productivity.
- Weekly Planning System:
1. Identify mission, values, roles, and goals.
2. Schedule the "big rocks*" (key activities).
3. Organize smaller tasks.
Imprinting Your Subconscious:
Writing and visualizing your mission statement helps imprint your goals on your
subconscious, making them more likely to be achieved.
Find your Voice and inspire others to find theirs.
