Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a well-known resource for developing personal and professional leadership for adults. The book describes seven principles of effectiveness that contribute to greater success in life and in business. You may be familiar with them:
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand, then be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
The principles Covey teaches in his book are timeless. They work in most any situation and apply to everyone, regardless of age. Of course, trying to teach a child to “be proactive,” isn’t as easy as saying the words. The message may be the same, but the delivery must be different. Parents attempting to teach their kids these habits face confused looks from their kids.
Stephen Covey’s son, Sean Covey, helps resolve the communication gap with his 2008 book The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Based on his father’s core principles, the children’s version offers an inviting, fun series of stories (one for each habit) just for kids. Translating the adult version for children means changing words, but maintaining the intent of the original seven habits:
- You’re in charge
- Have a plan
- Work first, then play
- Everyone can win
- Listen before your talk
- Together is better
- Balance feels best
Children get to know the characters of a fictional world called Seven Oaks, where characters experience situations kids face like, how to manage boredom and differences in opinions. At the end of each story is a Parent’s Corner where Covey provides you with discussion points and suggestions for bringing the habits to life in a practical, real way.
Kids and parents alike will enjoy reading the book and applying its principles. I suggest using a story-a-week approach where you begin the week reading one story, then spend the rest of the week working to apply the core principle. Involve your kids and have fun with it. Chances are you’ll learn from it as well.
Question: Which of the Covey’s seven habits do you practice the most today? Which one do you think you should practice more often?
