“A collection of Stephen R. Covey’s most memorable and important teachings, drawn from his bestselling books!”
“Stephen R. Covey passed away in July 2012, leaving behind an unmatched legacy with his teachings about leadership, time management, effectiveness, success, and even love and family. A multimillion-copy bestselling author of self-help and business classics, Dr. Covey strove to help readers recognize the key elements that would lead them to personal and professional effectiveness. His seminal work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, transformed the way people act on their problems with a compelling, logical, and well-defined process. Indeed, many of the habits have been assimilated into everyday thinking and everyday conversation. For example, the expressions “win/win” and “first things first,” to name a few, have been incorporated into almost every business culture around the world.
The Wisdom and Teachings of Stephen R. Covey is a compilation of Dr. Covey’s most insightful, inspiring teachings and sayings. His profound influence spread beyond businesses and individuals and was even integrated into governments, school systems, and many other institutions with great success. This book covers his most impactful topics: time management, success, leadership—including principle-centered leadership— all of the 7 Habits, love, and family. This powerful collection is a lasting tribute to the inspirational luminary that so many will miss.” (From the Simon and Schuster Website)
About the Author:
Recognized as one of Time magazine’s twenty-five most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey was an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author. He sold more than 20 million books in 38 languages, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century. After receiving an MBA from Harvard and a Doctorate Degree from Brigham Young University, he became the co-founder and vice chairman of FranklinCovey, the leading global professional services firm.
My thoughts about the book: What a giant of a man Stephen Covey was. And what an appropriate tribute to a man who was and is one of the world’s best-selling authors – book sharing his insight and wisdom for this generation and for ones to come.
There is what I will refer to as 20 chapters in the book. In each and every chapter you will discover in his own words the depth of wisdom that Dr. Covey possessed. Some of the chapters’ principles included in the book are: Accountability, Balance, Choice, Integrity, Leadership, Love, Self Discipline, Trust, Truth, Win/Win and others. The last 2 chapters reveal some of Stephen’s favorite quotes by others and a reference list of books written by him as well as “Other Sources.”
In Chapter 1 titled Accountability the first story is one that is moving, sharing something that took place between Dr. Covey and his then seven-year-old son, also named Stephen. It is a story taken from the pages of his life lived, where his son learned a valuable lesson which would do us all well to learn and that is to take ownership of our lives and be accountable to the people we love and work for. Accountability is not a common or popular word in our world today and sadly it shows in the lives and careers ruined by people not being responsible and accountable. As Stephen wrote, “Accountability breeds response-ability.”
Each chapter begins with a story that illustrates in real time and life the application of the quotes and words of wisdom shared by Dr. Covey in that particular chapter. And words of wisdom they are. It is stated that King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived next to Jesus Christ himself and I believe that to be true. However, we have been blessed in our generation to have a man like Dr. Covey who somehow knew how to extract out of life’s experiences personal and powerful words of wisdom that speaks to our hearts and motivates us today.
Some of the words of wisdom that Dr. Covey shared include: Concerning Love – “In relationships, the little things are the big things;” Concerning Leadership, “You can’t change the fruit without changing the root;” On Empathy – “Empathy is not sympathy. Sympathy is a form of agreement. Empathy is not agreeing with someone; it is fully, deeply understanding that person, emotionally as well as intellectually.” WOW! Think about that for a while if you will. And I do not think I need to remind you that there is a serious shortage of empathy in our world today. There is, however, plenty of judgmentalism and condemnation to go around – far too much in my opinion, but very little empathy. People today want and desperately need more empathy than ever because of how difficult life is with all of its many challenges.
The Wisdom and Teachings of Stephen R. Covey is a book that will inspire you, encourage, motivate, deeply touch you, (if you will allow his words to do so), and bless you. This book is not a one-time read to be sure. I believe this is a book you read and read again and then refer back to it whenever your motivational get-up-and-go has got-up-and went.
On a personal note, the Word of God is where I always go first to find wisdom, knowledge and insight so that I might know how to live wisely in this present evil age; however, Dr. Covey’s book is on my short list of other books I refer to when I am looking for an inspirational, motivational or wise thought to help me through my day.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Simon and Schuster for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."