Nur durch äußere Erfolge lässt sich kein gelungenes Leben führen. Wahre Größe entsteht auf einem Fundament aus verinnerlichten Prinzipien. In diesem Buch beschreibt Stephen R. Covey, wie es möglich ist, die Fixierung auf Erfolg, Anerkennung, Titel etc. hinter sich zu lassen und sich auf die wirklich wichtigen Dinge zu konzentrieren. Anschließend schlüsselt er die zwölf Gründe auf, die für echten Erfolg maßgeblich sind, und zeigt uns, wie wir diese leben können.
Das vorliegende Buch fasst posthum einige der besten Essays von Stephen R. Covey zusammen, die niemals zuvor in Buchform erschienen sind. Sie sind bezeichnend für Covey und stellen einige seiner besten Gedanken vor, wie sich ein Leben, das ausschließlich den äußeren Erfolgen huldigt, zu einem Leben verwandeln lässt, das von innerer Ruhe, Zufriedenheit und Weisheit geprägt ist.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) at the time of his death.
Well, Covey has written stuff that I'd been forced to read so that my managerial and leadership skills might get a fillip. I've never really enjoyed that kind of stuff in the past, always felt that these guys were just trying to manipulate human beings and somehow help foster the idea that managers are the ones who keep institutions and humanity operational at a higher level of excitement, challenge, revenue and finally, gain, for those who control the levers of the political economy, namely the money czars. So in a way I surprised myself when I decided to buy this book. It's written in a simple manner with enough anecdotal and suchlike material to bring a smile to the face of the reader. It's also written in a way that's endearing and each chapter has some exercises at the end which you can practice so that you will not fall into the trap of 'secondary greatness' but actually get to experience 'primary greatness'. What I discovered is that this book is kind of management speak or human potential speak that draws its values from spiritual sources and traditions but it is not wont to acknowledge that debt to spirituality that it owes. Since I personally dig deep into a whole range of spiritual texts and cull out values for my life from them, this seemed to me to be more like a secondary, kindergarten text. Of course, the author would point out that the effect of such a book, just like the spiritual texts, would lie in the practice and not the preaching of the values embedded in both types of texts. So then, coming to 'primary greatness' which relates to following an honour code of sorts, listening to your conscience, taking wise decisions for the good of the many, etc, is possible whether you use a management speak book like this one or a spiritual text, seems to be the surmise. I tend to disagree but then one man's poison may be another's honey and to each his own. I can still reiterate that I did enjoy reading the book. Except that in no way did it get me to really bother about whether or not I am living adhering to the principles of 'secondary greatness" (the house that is built on sand which will collapse when the storm winds batter it) and desire muchly to achieve 'primary greatness' (the house built on a rock which stood the battering it received.) Read it and you decide for yourself what you want to take away.
The executive summary was assigned for this month's management seminar, so...I try to read the full book when possible, even if the seminar facilitator only gives me three days warning. Fortunately, this is short, and fortunately, it's Stephen Covey, which means little (okay, no) deep thinking necessary.
The Army has seven core values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, Personal courage), while the Navy has three (Honor, Courage, Commitment), and the lesson I take from that is that fewer means more. Twelve levers is a lot, and to be sure, some are a reach. Covey's position that these twelve (Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Renewal, Teaching) are inalienable principles is untenable, particularly as he presents a false dichotomy of choices for pretty much every explanation (ex. things we put first in life should be last). That is not to say that there is no value in examining these levers, but they are not the end all be all. Worse, as has been my assessment of other Covey (and similar authors) writings, he seems to think that values are not relative. (Fans might argue the contrary, but read his anecdotes - apart from trivial and contrived, they expose his western bias.)
Still, no book not written by Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, or Robert Anton Wilson is valueless, and the takeaways from this collection of essays is that the twelve characteristics should be self-examined frequently. And adjustments made ... as the situation dictates.
I found this book very interesting. First up, a little background if you know nothing about it... Secondary greatness is a life spent chasing superficial rewards such as money, popularity and pleasure and primary greatness is a life of integrity, responsibility and meaningful contribution. It's a life of being authentic, following your dreams and thinking of others.
"Character, what you are, is ultimately more important than competence, what you can do. Obviously both are important, but character is foundational. All else builds on this cornerstone. Even the very best structure, system, style and skills can't compensate completely for deficiencies in character."
My favourite bits of this book were when it talks about having an abundance mentality vs scarcity scripting, the benefits of living a life of integrity, Convey's views on emotional maturity and the balance between courage and consideration, urgency vs importance and our unique contributions, having a problem solving mindset vs a creative mindset, consciously learning, loyalty and four assumptions we should live by to make our lives greater. I enjoyed this read and got a lot from it. I would recommend for people who are searching for inner peace and meaning.
Це книга, що перевершить ваші очікування!!! Я говорю ці слова з усією відповідальністю людини і вчителя
Відкриваючи 12 важелів успіху Стівена Кові, я очікувала, що мене чекатиме короткий перегляд його відомої книги 7 навиків високоефективної особистості (такий собі конспект). Але Стівен Кові виявив справжню наполегливість, щоб спростувати моє попередне судження і довести, що в повторенні можна відкрити багато нового. І не тільки нового, але і надважливого, що ми не помічаємо за буденністю.
Він починає потужно, з влучного прикладу Титаніка, - корабля на якому щодня прибирали і заново розставляли лежаки спеціальні люди але не було достатньої безпеки для пасажирів (рятівних шлюпок було мало, пасажирам і членам команди не проводили інструктаж...). На Титаніку думали при марнославне, другорядне, не основне. Так і ми, в нашому сьогоденні, переймаємося зовнішнім. Тоді як врутрішне, найважливіше ховаємо від себе подалі (десь далеко в свідомості) і як результат,- втрачаємо.
Отже, після потужного вступу-наголосу на найважливіше, книго поступово відкриватиме вам механізми роботи над собою - це смиренність, сміливість, формування принципів та цінностей, пошук своєї місії, саморозвиток та вміння залишатися собою за будь-яких обставин
Після прочитання вам гарантоване відчуття піднесення. Не знаю чи виростуть у вас крила за плечима. В моєму випадку це сталося трохи раніше. Але ця книга точно залишить свій відбиток. І сподіваюсь, надихне на позитивні зміни
Мне кажется, ценность этой книги сложно понять сразу по окончании чтения. Концентрация важных мыслей очень высокая и нужно некоторое время, чтобы все нашло свое место в голове и начало работать. Альтернативный вариант: читать ее ооооооочень медленно, прорабатывая каждую главу до конца, не только упражнения, а еще и давать себк время на практику, прежде чем переходить к следующей. Тогда не придется ждать или перечитывать, чтобы составить мнение о ней.
Самое важное, что оказалось новым взглядом на старые вещи, это принцип изобильного мышления и понимание, что ресурса больше, чем мы можем взять, и даже больше, чем вообще можно себе представить. Это то, что лично меня больше всего тормозит в ежедневном ворочанье мыслей туда-сюда внутри головы.
Не рекомендую читать это тем, кто не особо любит думать стратегически и ждет быстрых готовых решений, их тут нет) Чтобы понять ценность сказанного тут, нужно успеть набить несколько шишек о попытки стать осознаннее и круче ментально.
"Основное величие внутри. Это о характере", - это основной посыл книги! Что атрибуты "успеха" - популярность, должность, имидж в глазах социума - это всё второстепенно. Автор пишет о том, что людям со второстепенным величием, то есть социальным признанием их талантов, не хватает первичного величия или добра в их характере. Рано или поздно это становится заметно во всех долгосрочных отношениях, которые у них есть, будь то с деловым партнером, супругом, другом или ребенком-подростком. «Вы так громко кричите мне в уши, что я не слышу, что вы говорите» Помню, ещё в школе, все учили Платона, который выделял понятия микро- и макрокосмоса - внутреннего мира человека (души) и мира внешнего (вечного). И прочтя пол книги, я начала понимать, что Стивен Кови, как и древнегреческий философ, показывает, что условием возвышения души, гармонии, является "соединение" этих двух миров. По-другому никак. Мне понравилась каждая глава - двенадцать принципов, согласно которым живут поистине успешные люди. В конце каждой главы ещё и полезные упражнения, чтобы можно было по практиковать каждый урок. Не буду перечислять все принцы, тут нужно читать и вникать. Выделю первый и, на мой взгляд, самый главный - целостность. Целостные люди, они не лгут, не ругаются по пустякам, уважают других, они живут в мире с самими собой, со своим внутренним миром. Ваше внешнее поведение это всегда отображение вашего внутреннего мира.
From Stephen R. Covey--the late, legendary author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People--a set of principles for achieving a happy and fulfilling life of primary greatness.
Many of us are hurting. We have chronic problems, dissatisfactions, and disappointments. Although we generally make it through the day, a lot of us feel overwhelmed by burdens we carry. We try to "lift the load of life" each day and sometimes it's just too much. The idea of living a "great life" seems a distant dream.
Stephen R. Covey believed there were only two ways to experience life: primary greatness or secondary greatness. Through his books and speaking, he taught that the intrinsic rewards of primary greatness--integrity, responsibility, and contribution--far outweighed the extrinsic rewards of secondary greatness--money, popularity, and the self-absorbed, pleasure-ridden life that some people consider "success."
In this posthumous work, Covey lays out clearly the 12 levers of success that will lead to a life of primary greatness: Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Teaching, and Renewal. For the first time, Covey defines each of these 12 qualities and how they can be leveraged and enacted in your daily life to lead you to success and happiness. Featuring his trademarked wisdom that is beloved and has inspired countless readers and leaders, Primary Greatness once again delivers classic Covey advice in a concise and reader-friendly way. https://www.fahasa.com/
О ЧЕМ КНИГА: Эта работа Кови хорошо дополняет классику «7 навыков высокоэффективных людей». «Семь навыков...» я перечитываю раз в два года и постоянно нахожу в ней что то новое для себя. Эта книга тоже очень четко структурирована и в конце каждой главы есть итоговые вопросы с упражнениями. В аудиокниге 12 эссе о построении правильной жизни и отношений в бизнесе.
КАКАЯ БЫЛА ЦЕЛЬ ЧТЕНИЯ: - Искал, чтобы послушать во время длинных весенних прогулок. Хоть я и говорил себе, что перестаю читать книги по мотивации, но напоминать себе о прописных истинах нужно регулярно. И если уж и читать кого то в этой области, то пусть это будет Кови. Мои ожидания оправдались.
ГЛАВНЫЕ ВЫВОДЫ: - Надо как можно чаще задавать себе вопрос - «Что я могу и должен сейчас делать такого, что не может больше сделать никто?”. На основании этого надо выбирать свои главные и приоритетные роли на данный период жизни.
- Компас важнее, чем часы.
- Когда двое сразу соглашаются, то один становится лишним.
- Из триады миссия/видение/ценности в компании нельзя исключать ни один элемент.
- Хороший подход - сразу добавлять в свой календарь и блокировать время на 1 час обучения в день и один полный день в месяц на какой-либо тренинг или курс.
ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ В ЖИЗНИ И БИЗНЕСЕ: - Использовать каждый день и каждую возможность для обучения своих сотрудников. Пусть даже это будет 5-минутный разговор или отосланная по имейлу ссылка на интересную статью.
ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ: Джим Рон «5 фрагментов мозаики жизни»
Это основной посыл книги! Что атрибуты "успеха" - популярность, должность, имидж в глазах социума - это всё второстепенно.
Автор пишет о том, что людям со второстепенным величием, то есть социальным признанием их талантов, не хватает первичного величия или добра в их характере. Рано или поздно это становится заметно во всех долгосрочных отношениях, которые у них есть, будь то с деловым партнером, супругом, другом или ребенком-подростком.
«Вы так громко кричите мне в уши, что я не слышу, что вы говорите»
Помню, ещё в школе, все учили Платона, который выделял понятия микро- и макрокосмоса - внутреннего мира человека (души) и мира внешнего (вечного). И прочтя пол книги, я начала понимать, что Стивен Кови, как и древнегреческий философ, показывает, что условием возвышения души, гармонии, является "соединение" этих двух миров. По-другому никак.
Мне понравилась каждая глава - двенадцать принципов, согласно которым живут поистине успешные люди. В конце каждой главы ещё и полезные упражнения, чтобы можно было по практиковать каждый урок.
Не буду перечислять все принцы, тут нужно читать и вникать. Выделю первый и, на мой взгляд, самый главный - целостность. Целостные люди, они не лгут, не ругаются по пустякам, уважают других, они живут в мире с самими собой, со своим внутренним миром. Ваше внешнее поведение это всегда отображение вашего внутреннего мира.
I've been a Stephen Covey fan for a long time. I remember reading the 7 Habits and First Things First and getting a lot out of them. Covey has passed away, but the Covey company led by his son Sean still goes on. Primary Greatness is a new offering from the Covey company, using a collection of articles written by Stephen Covey and organized and package in a framework of 12 Levers of Success. "Levers" seem to be the popular term for strategies/approaches toward achieving goals or accomplishing tasks. This book is fairly short, but as usual with Covey material, is extremely well-organized and concise. There are also short exercises added at the end of each section to use. After going through this, I didn't feel I heard much new material. However it was the same material from the 7 Habits, the Eighth Habit, First Things First and the 3rd Alternative, reorganized under the Levers. Thus, if you are already familiar with Coveys work, you can probably read through the list of levers and get the essence of the book: Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Renewal and Teaching. I preferred the organization from the 7 Habits - but since I read it so long ago, I think I will get a new copy of the latest version of that and reread it.
Offering valuable insights but lacking the engaging and cohesive narrative
This book is a posthumous collection Stephen R. Covey's ideas presented through individual essays. Many of these essays had not previously been published in book form. These essays delve into principles like integrity, contribution, sacrifice, service, etc, and each chapters focuses on different aspects of success and personal development.
Unlike his previous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which was written as a cohesive, unified book, Primary Greatness lacks the same polished feel due to its nature as a compilation. This affects its overall cohesiveness and flow but might not resonate with readers looking for the systematic, structured approach of his previous book.
Moreover, my personal reaction to Primary Greatness was that it felt somewhat repetitive and less engaging compared to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I bought this since it released but it took me nearly a decade to finally touch it, suggesting a lack of immediate engagement or appeal.
One of my favorite phases from this book. "Esse quam videri" - To be, rather than to seem.
This book is very easy to read, or listen. It contains short chapters about the main 12 "levers" a person should develop if she wants to achieve primary greatness. These principles are not ground-breaking. However, they are essential and worth learning about and developing. All these concepts well explained and there is a number of advice and tips for application, at the end of the chapter, for each of them. Book also explains he difference between primary and secondary greatness and why we should focus on primary greatness, instead of secondary.
For those who read 7 Habits of Effective People also by Stephen R. Covey, this book will be a nice expansion. It works very well as some kind of a sequel. For people who didn't read 7 Habits of Effective People, this book can be an easy introduction in this topic as well as the philosophy and teaching of Stephen R. Covey.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn and develop the essential principles because they can change one's life for the better.
Есть два способа освоить что-то хорошо и овладеть мастерством, один из них это изучать вопрос со множества сторон через множество различных материалов. Второй способ - это беспрестанно повторять один и тот же материал и все события пропускать через его призму.
Эта книга - для второго случая. Мне впервые попадается книга, в которой так емко, лаконично и полно освещены вопросы саморазвития. Как профессионального так и развития вас как человека. Стивен Кови написал ее исходя из своего огромного опыта тренера, ученого и бизнесмена, к моменту написания ему было уже 83 года, а это нужно сказать огромный пласт работы и знаний.
Если вы ищите одну книгу, которая расскажет вам как стать успешнее и счастливее и которую вы будете перечитывать раз за разом чтобы в точности ей следовать и не хотите отвлекаться на другие книги, которые будут порождать в вас сомнения, то это та самая книга.
I chose not to finish this book. The concept of “True North,” the notion that there is an absolute or objective right and wrong, is not one that I find plausible.
For example, the author claims the following as a natural principle, an inviolable law: “You can’t talk your way out of a problem you behaved your way into.”
What about someone like O.J. Simpson, who many believe got away with murder? He seemed to “talk” his way out of that one, didn’t he? This is just one counterexample, of course. No one really knows if Simpson is guilty or not, but it casts doubt upon the author’s claim.
This book seems to be built upon Judeo-Christian values and is entirely Western in thought. It just didn’t work for me. It felt very narrow and close-minded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Solid principles those 12 levers of success that are cited within. I like that it focuses on doing what's right rather than how to seek and obtain praise from others. Kind of like the person walking through the park that picks up a piece of trash and throws it away knowing that all benefit, without caring if anyone noticed that took place.
Really solid principles to live by. I did think some of the sections could have been just as effective with fewer words.
I took the "what would you like your legacy to be" to not be an ego centered praise from others, but rather a gift a person gives themselves by knowing they helped the world be a better place on the down low.
Covey wasn't finished. He was working on a new project (likely several?), and had other writings that hadn't been widely published. This book is a collection of some of those earlier essays. They are valuable, but don't compare in the depth and thoughtful presentation seen in his most well known works. The principles ring true, but they didn't capture me the way the 7 Habits did. For me, the most useful reminder is how living on principle is liberating because doing so creates a framework from which to make decisions.
A life centered on making connections with and in the service of others is far more rewarding than a life spent hunting for self-serving pleasures such as status and money. And the best way to find real fulfillment and inner peace is to establish your primary greatness. You can do this with the help of the 12 levers of success: integrity, contribution, priority, personal sacrifice, service, reciprocity, diversity, responsibility, loyalty, learning, teaching and renewal.
"Character, what you are, is ultimately more important than competence, what you can do."
I became a great fan of Dr Stephen R. Covey after reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. As I already read The 7 Habits, when I was reading this book, to be very honest, it was like revising that book again but in a different way.
For people who haven't read The 7 Habits yet, I would highly recommend you to read that book as well because I believe this is the best self-help book I have ever read in my life so far.
I loved Stephen Covey's core message in this book: true success implies that you focus your thoughts and actions on achieving primary greatness (integrity, responsibility, and meaningful contribution), as opposed to secondary greatness (money, popularity, and the self-absorbed, pleasure). Many are seeking to live "the good life," but leaving a great life implies living it counter-culturally, with meaning and purpose.
I enjoy anything by Stephen Covey, but this was my least favorite even though it has numerous passages underlined n written about in my journal - but -I found that the vast majority did not hit on what I was looking for. I liked the ideas at the end of each chapter to further delve into how the messages can be put to use in either business or personal life. I did garner enough to say it was a worthwhile read and wrote several quotes on my vision board.
Another life-changing book for me. This was what made me decide to donate 100% of my side business profit to charity for a year, and I’m sure I will be inspired to continue to give even after that. For a long time I’ve heard about getting out of the scarcity mentality and into an abundance mentality. And I’ve always certainly tried. But there was something in this book that really made it sink in on a deeper level.
I liked the The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People from the same author. Covey gives principles and good examples on the 12 levers of success: integrity, contribution, priority, personal sacrifice, service, reciprocity, diversity, responsibility, loyalty, learning, teaching and renewal. It's a nice extension to Covey previous work.
"Remember, we are teaching something all the time, because we are constantly radiating who and what we are."
I always love reviewing the principles taught by Stephen R. Covey. This is a good short book to reignite anyone's desire to live the principles taught in the 7 Habits. Presented in a compact way but the 12 qualities discussed here are important as always to achieve primary greatness.
What is primary greatness? Where does it originate? How does one cultivate it in their own life? These questions and much more will be answered with relevant stories and actionable tips by the late Stephen Covey in this posthumous literary work of his. Begin to change your mindset, daily habits, and results in life by reading this book today!
I loved this book!! It's so nice to hear these things that seem to be missing in the world right now. It affirmed to me that I actually have primary greatness, makes me feel great! I think it's a must read for all executives and co-workersfor most organizations. A book that will be added to my library for sure. Loved it!
Human values are those virtues that guide us to take into account the human element when interacting with other living beings. They are the many positive dispositions (character, inclination, temperament, soul, etc.) that create bonds of humanity between people and therefore have value for all of us as human beings. Inspiring book!