By Rick Fromme
When he died in mid-July 2012, “Forbes” wrote: “A bright
light has gone out today.”
Whoa … that’s a strong statement made by a well-respected,
widely read business publication.
 |
| Photo Credit: bookish.com |
Who was this “bright light?”
Dr. Stephen R. Covey.
In this series, I’m going to highlight some of the teachings and
concepts espoused by the internationally acclaimed author, professor, business
guru, speaker and one of the most influential persons of our time, the belated
Dr. Covey. He died at the age of 79 in July 2012 following complications from a
biking accident in April that year.
Upon hearing about Dr. Covey’s death, Utah Governor Gary Herbert
released a statement saying he was "saddened" to hear of the death of
Covey, a "good friend … His combination of intellect and empathy made him
a truly unique and visionary individual.” Numerous publications throughout the
world covered the story, Dr. Covey’s international impact was that strong.
Medical sales persons, clinicians, recruiters, can all learn
from Dr. Covey’s sagacious, some would say “spiritual,” approach to attaining
personal and professional success.
When I was in Medical Device Sales, in addition to being
able to ascertain a client’s needs and/or pain, then providing solutions to
alleviate those needs (see my previous blog “Successful
Medical Device Sales: How to Uncover Your Prospects’ Pain to Get Them to Buy,”
I also sought to practice ― and still strive to follow ― “The 7 Habits of Highly
Successful People,” Dr. Covey’s international best-seller (see below). If
you’ve not picked up a copy, I strongly recommend you do so.
 |
| Photo credit: Wikipedia |
“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but
to schedule your priorities.”
 |
| Photo Credit: achieve-goal-setting-success.com |
I’d only driven about a mile or so after inserting the CD
but already my interest was piqued. Dr. Covey wasn’t just talking about sales
techniques such as asking probing questions (which I already knew and
practiced), emphasizing the benefits of a product more so than bullet-pointing
its features (which I also knew and practiced), he was addressing such things
as character; about changing one’s paradigms, about principles; about the
intersection of knowledge, desire and skills to forge habits … and so much
more. “This is certainly not what I expected,” I remember thinking, turning up
the volume on my car’s stereo. As soon as I could get myself to a bookstore (this was in the days before the Internet and Amazon.com), I bought the
paperback. Today, my well-worn copy of “The 7 Habits” has underlining in two
different colors and in pencil, many dog-eared pages, my personal notes
scribbled in the margins, and sticky notes peppered throughout. And I’d venture I’m not alone in that respect. If heeded,
Covey’s concepts can be life-changing.
Covey’s international best-seller “The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People," was first published in 1989 and has sold more than 25 million
copies and been published in 40 languages.
Covey’s thousands of clients include individuals and
corporations from Africa, Europe, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Saudi
Arabia, and other countries. Not surprising that in 1996, “Time” named Dr.
Covey one of its most influential Americans.
“There are three constants in life ...
change, choice and
principles.”
According to the “Salt Lake Tribune”: "Covey's
management post at BYU led to ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,’
which launched a second career as management guru for companies and government
agencies, among them Saturn, Ritz Carlton, Proctor & Gamble, Sears Roebuck
and Co., NASA, Black & Decker, Public Broadcasting Service, Amway, American
Cancer Society, and the Internal Revenue Service.”
Covey first earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Utah. He then went on to Harvard to earn his MBA. Following that, Covey obtained his Doctor of Religious Education from Brigham Young University. Over his distinguished career he was awarded several honorary doctorates:
- Honorary Doctorate of Arts
 |
| Photo Credit: coachestrainingblog.com |
- Honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters
- Honorary Doctor of Business
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity
- Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
- Honorary Doctor of Law
- Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Honorary Doctor of Science
- Honorary Doctor of Mathematics
Covey was also inducted into the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial
Forum Hall of in 2009.
“Listen with the intent to understand,
not with the intent to reply.”
If one were to winnow the most influential books concerning
personal growth and change, as well as making shifts in organizations’
operating paradigms, indeed “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is tops the list. In addition to his landmark
best-seller, Dr. Covey authored many other notable books including “Principle
Centered Leadership,” “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families,” “The 8th
Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness,” “Principle-Centered Leadership,” “Everyday
Greatness: Inspiration for a Meaningful Life,” “The Leader in Me: How Schools
and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time,”
“Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times,” “Great Work, Great Career,” and
“The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life’s Most Difficult Problems,” “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Network
Marketing Professionals” and others.  |
| Photo credit: stephencovey.com |
He founded the Covey Leadership Center, which eventually
merged with Franklin Quest in 1997 to form FranklinCovey Company, focusing on
leadership, strategy and individual effectiveness. In 2008, Covey launched his Stephen Covey's Online Community. The
site is a collection of online courses, goal management and social networking.
Covey created it to teach his concepts on self-leadership and current topics. Like
MedMasters, it’s free to join (yes,
that’s a hint.)
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential
ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that
holds all relationships.”
Covey’s Accomplishments & Awards:
- In 2002, “Forbes” named “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” one of the top 10 most influential management books ever.
- A survey by “Chief Executive” magazine recognized “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” as one of the two most influential books of the 20th century.
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” audiobook on tape is the best-selling nonfiction audio in history, selling more than a million and a half copies.
- Authored “Principle-Centered Leadership,” with sales exceeding more than one million copies.
- Authored “First Things First,” with sales exceed more than two million copies.
 |
| Photo credit: amazon.com |
- Authored “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, released in October 1997, and is the #1 best-selling hardcover book on family.
- Authored “The 8th Habit,” with sales exceeding nearly a million copies.
- “The 8th Habit” was named “Best Business Book of 2005” by Soundview Executive Summaries.
- Received “The National Fatherhood Award” from the National Fatherhood Initiative.
- Was named “Speaker of the Year” in 1999.
- Received “The Sikh’s 1998 International Man of Peace Award.”
- Received “The National Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership.”
- Received the “International Man of Peace Award.”
- Received the “International Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”
- Participated on the “Board of Directors for the Points of Light Foundation.”
- Became co-founder and vice chairman of FranklinCovey.
- Received “Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum Hall of Fame” on in 2009
- In February 2010, Stephen Covey joined the Utah State University Jon M. Huntsman School of Business faculty as a tenured, full professor and the first incumbent of the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership.
- “Forbes,” summed up its eulogy/article in July 2012 in saying, “Dr. Covey and [The 7 Habits] brought a new language to business”:
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
The article concludes in saying that while “many of his
principles have become cliché … even though they are commonly used in language,
they still aren’t commonly used in practice.”
Just as one “practices medicine,” I firmly believe Covey’s "7 Habits" should be “practiced” as well. Hence,
this eight-part series.
“Effective leadership is putting first things first.
Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”
To say Dr. Covey changed individual and corporate paradigms
in the world of business and in interpersonal communications vis-à-vis personal
development is just a fraction of his esteemed legacy. In the next blog of this
ongoing series, we’ll take a closer look at Habit 1: Be Proactive.
In this article, I gave a synopsis and brief biography about
the work, accomplishments and achievements of one of the 20th century’s
greatest thinkers, the belated Dr. Stephen Covey. I discussed his work, his
books, especially the now-legendary “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,”
and shared some of his numerous accolades. If you found this article useful,
please feel free to click “Like” as well as share and repost it. If you have
any questions or comments, as always, I’m eager to read them.
Rick Fromme combines entrepreneurial enthusiasm with an
insider's knowledge of the medical industry to co-found MedMasters.com. Both his drive and
perspective helps provide health care professionals with a superior mechanism
with which to communicate, network and market their strengths. Prior to
founding MedMasters.com, Rick
operated a highly successful medical device distributorship. Other milestones
in his 12-year career in the medical industry include a key position at a
medical device start-up company that was later sold to the Ethicon
Endo division of Johnson & Johnson. You may also reach Rick
by connecting with him on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Related articles
Thanks for this "reminder" article. I think it's time to dust off my copy of "7 Habits" and reread -- and practice it.
ReplyDeleteNicely done. An honorable tribute for such an important and influential writer and speaker.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to have good health and success you heed to cultivate good habits.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say Stephen Covey is one of my heros. I believe his legacy will be the knowledge he pass on to us. He will be remember.
ReplyDelete