?The call and need of a new era is for greatness. It's for fulfillment Solomon Thomas Youth Jersey , passionate execution and significant contribution.? - Stephen R. Covey, from The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness


Making a rare public appearance in Toronto at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, world-respected leadership authority and author of the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century, Dr. Stephen R. Covey spoke on his latest book Dante Pettis Youth Jersey , The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness to a packed audience.


Having taught principle-centered leadership for over four decades, this living legend and world icon, with his quiet energy and grace, epitomized a call to greatness and earned the respect of the audience -- standing as a grandfather figure for unleashing human potential in many generations.


A hero to millions, Dr. Covey is known the world over for his landmark work around helping people take profound ideas, philosophies Mike McGlinchey Youth Jersey , and principles and distilling them into easy-to-use daily habits that anyone can apply. In his inspirational presentation at the Living Arts Centre, he conveyed simple yet very powerful gems of wisdom that I found practical and useful. For example, if you want your children to develop a love of learning and never have to rag on them again for not doing their homework and not getting better grades, simply ask them when they return from school, ?Teach me what you've learned today.? By using this one simple habit, Covey claims he's never had a problem encouraging his children to learn because teaching is the best way to learn.


Another gem he talked about is the habit of seeking to understand before being understood through empathic listening. In the audience of over 800 people Matt Breida Youth Jersey , he asked how many people had any formal training on listening; only 13 hands went up revealing just how ego-centric of a me-me-me culture we live in. Covey related how many Native Indian tribes use what's called the Talking Stick which is used in all meetings where the person holding the Talking Stick is the only person allowed to speak until he or she feels understood; when the possessor of the Talking Stick feels completely understood, then, and only then, is the Talking Stick passed on to the next person. This creates an incredible understanding and synergy among the team. Every business would do well to have a Talking Stick!


Covey then went on to the crux of his message which is the 8th Habit of becoming an island of excellence in a sea of mediocrity by finding one's voice and helping others to find theirs. According to Covey, the main problem is that businesses are still trapped in the old paradigm of Industrial Age thinking even though we're well into the Knowledge Worker Age. What's required is a new paradigm he calls the ?whole body paradigm? of integrating body, mind George Kittle Youth Jersey , heart, and spirit which he respectively equates to the principles of discipline, vision, passion, and conscience. The Industrial Age is still very much focused on the body (things, systems Jimmy Garoppolo Youth Jersey , structures, procedures, efficiency, bottom-line). But Covey estimates that approximately 80 percent of all the value added to goods and services now comes from knowledge work versus things. Twenty years ago that number was the inverse: only 20 percent.


So the key is not behavior ? it's the map. The key is the accuracy of the map. Once paradigm shifts the behavior will also shift. Covey clearly illustrated this point by asking everyone to close their eyes and point ?North.? When he asked us to open our eyes and look around, I noticed everyone was pointing in different directions! In a similar vein, the majority of organizations have their people pointing in different directions; sighting a recent Harris Poll Jerry Rice Youth Jersey , Covey states that ?only 37 percent of workers say they have a clear understanding of what their organization is trying to achieve and why.? No one knows where true ?North? is. There is no moral compass, no conscience, no guiding spirit.


Part of the solution, according to Covey, is to have a transcendent goal, what he calls a WIG or Wildly Important Goal Joe Montana Youth Jersey , that serves a greater purpose. Only once this goal is clearly communicated to everyone in an organization can quantum improvements begin to happen in the workplace.


Here is my interview with Dr. Covey revealing his latest insights from his most recent book, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness:


What sacrifices have you made to be where you are today?


I have worked very hard to dedicate my personal and professional life to principlecentered living. I am driven by a passion and conscience to spread understanding for principles and how to apply them to reach greatness. To that extent, there is no sacrifice ? only a passionate, relentless commitment to my work, family, community and church to make a lasting difference.


What in your opinion is the most important attribute of a leader and why?


I believe the most important attribute for a leader is being principle-centered. Centering on principles that are universal and timeless provides a foundation and compass to guide every decision and every act. I've based my life's work on promoting principles and teaching the power that resides in principle-centered leadership. Principles are not my invention; they are self-evident and are found throughout the world. If you look at all enduring philosophies Mitch Wishnowsky Womens Jersey , religions and thoughts, you will find principles such as integrity, compassion, trust, honesty, accountability and others at their core. I simply translated these principles into a framework of habits Jalen Hurd Womens Jersey , which when followed with consistency and frequency transforms one's character and allows one to earn the moral authority necessary for enduring leadership.


I must also clarify the definition of leadership, which is sadly and narrowly defined as position, title, le Shirts[/url] Wholesale Hoodies Wholesale Hats Wholesale NFL Shirts Wholesale NFL Shirts