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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The 8th Habit summary
Stephen R. Covey
From Effectiveness to Greatness
17 mins
Brief summary
In 'The 8th Habit' by Stephen R. Covey, he discusses how finding your voice is the key to unlocking human potential. By using four human intelligences, we can find fulfillment and meaning in our personal and professional lives.
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The 8th Habit
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
The 8th habit is all about finding a way to greatness in today's Information/Knowledge Worker Age.
Ever feel like you don’t make much of a difference? Or that what you do doesn’t really matter? Many people seem to feel this way. But why?
Well, many organizations can’t keep up with the constant changes of our modern world. And therein lies the problem.
We currently live in the Information/Knowledge Worker Age, the successor of the Industrial Age. Many organizations find it difficult to accommodate the shifting approaches to work that this new era gave rise to, and they still operate with an Industrial Age mindset, governed by a domineering top-down style.
This kind of control functions poorly in the current age, which is all about unleashing the potential of our workers.
Consider the value of quality in today’s IT industry. An outstanding programer, for instance, is 1000 times more productive than an average programer. During the Industrial Age, such disparities between individual levels of productivity were impossible.
It’s therefore necessary to abolish the controlling top-down approach, as it limits employee potential. We must produce the kind of quality we expect of today’s businesses.
Most importantly, employees should be encouraged to find their own voice.
Everyone wants to be great at their job, but only those who find their voice and make a habit of using their strengths can enjoy true success. Finding that inner voice is known as the 8th habit. So how do you do it?
It starts with treating employees respectfully so that they can make their own choices, use their creativity and feel significant in their workplace. Everyone must be able to find their own voice and, in turn, inspire others to find theirs.
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What is The 8th Habit about?
The 8th Habit (2004) helps you find your inner voice and thereby lead a more fulfilled life. Covey explains why we struggle to feel motivated and passionate (particularly in our working life) and how we can go about changing that.
Who should read The 8th Habit?
- Business leaders
- Anyone feeling lost or unfulfilled
- People striving to work efficiently and with joy
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