Remembering Stephen Covey: Which of His Quotes Inspires You Most?

Author Stephen Covey, whose "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" sold more than 20 million copies, died on Monday, July 16, 2012. He was 79.

Let us remember some of his quotes as a tribute to the great author of our time:

Quotes Of Stephen Covey:

- Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic.

- Live out of your imagination, not your history.

- There are three constants in life - change, choice, and principles.

- The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

- While values drive behaviors, principles govern consequences.

- Be sure that as you scramble up the ladder of success, it is leaning against the right building.

- Two people can see the same thing, disagree, and yet both be right. It's not logical; it's psychological.

- Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what to do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do).

- Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can achieve their desires through their own efforts. Interdependent people combine their efforts with others to achieve their greatest success.

Yet Another Quote of Stephen Covey:

"Begin with the end in mind is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion on which everything else is examined."

In the passing away of Stephen Covey, the world has lost a pathbreaker. The world was drifting away, and he showed that to achieve effectiveness, one has to go back to basics. He was different in a way, not bringing out something drastically new, but rediscovering the forgotten right things to get back on track. Shri AVS has aptly brought out some famous quotes to mark the occasion and remember the great man's contribution.

Viewers would be fascinated to know that Stephen Covey conducted a massive study of illustrious personalities who made their mark at different times. The study period covered a span of 200 years. According to him, in the first 150 years of study, all people who achieved greatness and attained popularity were governed by Character Ethics. From the time of the First World War onwards, there was a shift towards what Covey describes as Personality Ethics.

Character Ethics was based on time-tested values like integrity, fidelity, humility, courage, patience, simplicity, the Golden Rule, etc. He maintains that True Success and Happiness are rewards of Character Ethics. Personality Ethics was more about outward projection with a flawed character on the inside. Covey states that Personality Ethics rests on traits of duplicity, lip service, communication mastery, etc.

Stephen Covey goes on to build further on Character Ethics—the time-honored Principles. The concept and need for a paradigm shift, the stages from 'Dependence' to 'Independence' and then to 'Interdependence.' Besides the Seven Habits, his 90-10 principle and Emotional Bank Account are worth revisiting a number of times. It is time to salute Stephen Covey—the man who created footprints on water. May his soul rest in peace.

Regards, V. Raghunathan, Navi Mumbai

In fact, almost all of his works are research-based. He made a thorough study of his subjects and presented them cogently. However, the most successful one was his "7 Habits of..." which really adds to our knowledge and understanding. Although all his wisdom was there from time immemorial, it was told in a refreshingly novel way.

I agree with Mr. Raghunath when he says, "Character Ethics was based on time-tested values like integrity, fidelity, humility, courage, patience, simplicity, the Golden Rule, etc. He maintains that True Success and Happiness are rewards of Character Ethics. Personality Ethics was more about outward projection with flawed character on the inside. Covey states that Personality Ethics rest on traits of duplicity, lip service, communication mastery, etc."

All these lead to our wisdom, and Covey's findings agree totally with our ancient wisdom. Indian thinking, lifestyle, and philosophy are dependent on "what is true ultimately?" Thus, it is farsighted.

But now people are falling prey to transient and temporary, fleeting things, attractions, etc. When I see all these, I am reminded of T.S. Eliot's poem where he says, "We are hollow men, stuffed men leaning together." We have become parasites with no substance inside us. I pray, "God help our country," as the American President-elect says when he takes the oath of office!

Regards,
M.J. Subramanyam, Bangalore

You have very succinctly explained the character and purpose of a true leader through some examples which are live before us. As AVS said, this will be a guide to HR practitioners on building leadership. Thanks to both of you.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai