The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I'd read Covey's son's book, "The Speed of Trust" and thought it was excellent. It's a very eye-opening tome that you can apply to business and social life. Well worth a read. It was just a matter of time before I read Covey Snr's landmark book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

I borrowed the book from our company's lending-library. Clearly it was on old copy and I wasn't the first the learn from it. The title and the book is almost mythic and cliche at the same time. But I dove into it without prejudgement. There had to be good reason that this book had sold over 25 million copies, even if seemed a bit "cheesy."

And it turns out there is a very good reason it's sold 25 million copies.

Covey is an even better communicator than his son. I feel like he's a bit more down to earth. Very casual and matter-of-fact, but clearly educated and intelligent. He writes simply so as to connect, yet with enough mature authority so as to command respect and maintain audience. The book flows well. Covey delivers sage counsel peppered with personal examples chapter after chapter, but it never reads as sermon.

True, sometimes Covey drops some religions allusions or references, but it's clearly his own opinion and he doesn't try to convince you to be religions by any means (thankfully). So you can respectfully ignore that if you so choose and get to the meat-and-potatoes of what he's trying to impart. It's worth it.

I read the book with a business situation in mind, but the habits and precepts go far beyond a business setting. They are daily concepts and morals that apply inwardly, outwardly, socially, in business and in pleasure.

I'm not going to go into the actual content of the book because that would do it an injustice. The subtitle is "Powerful Lessons in Personal Change." Read the book, apply the habits, and hopefully be a better person because of it. It can't hurt. There's good advice or powerful anecdotes literally on every page. The 320 pages are worthy of your investment in time and energy. If you only read one book in 2013, this certainly wouldn't be a bad choice. It would make a great gift, too. I feel a certain responsibility to pass it along...

Covey passed away last year. R.I.P., brotha.