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  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

  • Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
  • By: Stephen R. Covey
  • Narrated by: Stephen R. Covey
  • Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (5,869 ratings)
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

By: Stephen R. Covey
Narrated by: Stephen R. Covey
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Editor reviews

Celebrating its 15th successful year, the best-selling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, written by Stephen R. Covey, is the indispensable audiobook that has helped shed light on how people can achieve their goals. In this special edition you will find an insightful foreword and afterword where Covey applies the 7 habits to the 21st century world of today. Access your full potential through the strategies, tips and techniques that are easily explained and remembered and learn the true value of what it means to be a sincere, rational and open-minded person. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Stephen R. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has been a top seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology for proven principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. Celebrating its 15th year of helping people solve personal and professional problems, this special anniversary edition includes a new foreword and afterword written by Covey that explore whether the 7 Habits are still relevant and answer some of the most common questions he has received over the past 15 years.

This audio edition is the first ever unabridged recording of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 Franlkin Covey (P)2004 FranklinCovey

Critic reviews

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is by now one of the best-selling books of all time." (Fortune)

What listeners say about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Common-sense wrapped in arcane ideas and language

I have no idea how this book became a classic bestseller. I also have no idea why I am in the minority in this opinion. It's rare that I feel negatively towards a well regarded book, but it wouldn't be fair if I kept my opinion on "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to myself.

I'll start with the title. As others have noted, it implies there was underlying research carried out by Covey. Did Covey first define what a highly effective person is, gather a large set of people who fit the definition, and search for what habits they had in common?

No. He came up with an arbitrary set of reasonable values which he believes constitute a decent and well-balanced person, and artificially coerces them into a coherent ideology. Note I said "values". What Covey lists can hardly be called "habits" in any behavioural sense of the word. If the book's title was "Seven values for becoming well-balanced" that would have gained the book one full star in my opinion, up to three.

I do believe that Covey's advice is good, but I find it hard to imagine how it is deserving of such praise. I can only imagine that a society in which «Put first things first» ("habit" 3) , «Think win-win» ("habit" 4) and «Seek first to understand, then to be understood» ("habit" 5) are considered ground-breaking ideas is a deeply damaged one. Maybe that was the case in the early 1990s, or in American business culture. Still, it means that in the best case scenario this book has either not aged well in 25 years or is aimed specifically at people living a highly toxic idea of what it means to be successful.

There are very few examples of application. When they are fictitious they are are caricaturesque, such as a father trying to first understand his son's disappointment with school rather than berating him, or a family conflict in which a holiday the dad planned for ages clashes with the mum's wish to visit her ailing mother.

When the examples are purportedly based on real-life, they become so vague as to hand-waving that could be reduced to «This was a bad situation. Then my "habits" were applied, with no details. Then everything went magically well!».

This pattern is played out again and again: business or person X was in a tough negotiation or disagreement with business or person Y. Then X thought "win-win", or "understood" Y's position first, and they reached an agreement! There's no elaboration into what these win-win positions entailed, what made them viable and desirable to both parts, how X had initially failed to understand the position of Y, or how and why this understanding influenced Y. The examples do not illustrate the application of Coveys values (I insist they are values, not habits), but rather are dogmatic insistence that they work. Ironically I do believe that they work, I would just rather Covey showed me rather than told me. Show, don't tell.

My final gripe is with the convoluted, jargony and flowery pseudo-philosophical style that is found all throughout the book. Not only does it get in the way of what Covey is saying, sometimes you wonder if he is trying to say anything at all. This not only contrasts with modern self-management literature which emphasises getting to the point, but also with self-help books of the same period (The Now Habit, 1989). Even How To Win Friends And Influence People (1936) is refreshingly direct and straightforward compared to Seven Habits.

To conclude, if you have read this far, take my advice with a grain of salt. Many people rave about this book, so there must be a reason they found it valuable. All I can say is that if you enjoy straightforward language, illustrative examples, and the idea of empathy towards the needs of others does not seem alien, this book is most likely not for you.

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289 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Get over the hangup - does NOT push religion

There are a few reviewers who have written off the book because the author happens to merely mention - in one sentence in the prologue - that he is a Christian. Surely the problem is no more than if he had mentioned being an atheist? - Anyway it is irrelevant to the content of the book and has no bearing on the concept, which is well researched and solid. The author has presented to boards of directors of major international companies and organisations and they wouldn't buy into crap and this is in no way wishy-washy or spiritual, the principles are well set out and argued.
I let the voice - which some may find jarring - pass over me and listened to the content which was what I bought it for after all.
Very insightful and well organised.
As an open minded individual - as far as one may be - why are so many people so touchy as to junk an entire book that is well reviewed by many business leaders and thinkers (and others) simply because an author mentions that he/she has a belief system? Very odd methinks...perhaps there may be something in it. Must look deeper myself perhaps - shall look in the relevant Audible category for a scholarly work without a strong agenda in either direction methinks! - Any suggestions anyone?

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108 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The message is simple

Like others on here I initially found the voice monotone and dry with none of the usual punch and uplift found in other personal improvement readings. But on reflection I think that this bland style works better in the long run. It allows you to listen, really listen to what he is saying rather than be short term uplifted. A long book taken at what seems a leisurely pace but I do not think it could have been shortened and still get the message across. This is a casserole not a microwave meal.

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102 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Terrible pop psychology for Christians.

One of the most awful personal development books I've ever read (listened to), I'd give it zero stars but I don't think that's an option. I knew it was going to be bad as soon as he brought God into the equation; speaking as an Atheist I'm not looking to link my personal development with religious values or beliefs. This aside I think the book was supposed to be full of pithy insightful anecdotes that gave you those 'Aha' moments. You'll hear how the supply of golden eggs will dry up if you don't also maintain the goose, how you can't be a concert pianist without starting as a beginner and going through each stage of development and how your lawnmower will only last half as long if not properly maintained...Genius but what could he mean? Only goes to prove one of my long held views that book sales and popularity are no guarantee of quality. Big mistake buying this one; in future I shall continue to subscribe to the school of contrary public opinion. Buy at your peril or if in early developmental stages.

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83 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

7 Habits, constructive change not quick-fix

I took the time to listen to the unabridged version. Audible could do with reviewing the encoding but other than that the book was excellent.

This book is required reading for managers in the 21st century as is the 8th habit. This was an easy listen (even the unabridged version) and Stephen Covey is a great narrator. I'd recommend this book to all.

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75 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended.

I'd known about this book for a long time and it was always on my list of books to read (listen to). I found the 7 habits fascinating. The age of the book does come across and it is a little preachy but Stephen Covey's research, conclusions and insights are staggering in their depth. Although you come away feeling that a lot of what he says is common sense, the vast majority of people, including myself, would never think in those terms. Stephen unravels what it is to be human and how to make the most of that gift. I can't believe anyone listening could fail to benefit hugely from the experience.

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65 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing

You can now have your cake and eat it. Having read a lot of management books, this is the one that will change your outlook on family and work. You will learn over time to do things differently and take control of those aspects of your life that at the moment might be controlling you.
The book is very readable and listening to Stephen Covey is even better.

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43 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

In the first half hour I was surprised and disappointed the author matched ideal human principles to those of god, and described using faith and prayer to help him and his wife understand and maintain those principles.
I wanted sensible advice, not a lesson in spirituality. This discredited the author as a serious teacher for me.
I didn't see any warning of this in the synopsis, nor on wikipedia. This title should also be included in the spiritual and religion sections. Beware.

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Helped me focus on who I am

brilliant book.Layed out principles that are common for all people and essential for success. it helped me to re-focus on what is important for me in life and how to reprioritise my life around my principals.
A must listen for anyone and everyone

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

good stuff

i thought this was interesting and useful book. The behaviours (habits) make alot of sense
It is a tad preachy at the end. If your in a toss up between this and how to win friends and influence people i think the later is better

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27 people found this helpful