The Problem

I continue the journey of reading Covey’s The 8th Habit. In one week, I have successfully managed to complete two chapters or 24 pages. I usually read about 500 pages a week.

The first chapter spoke to the pain that many people experience in life. Unable to find their voice, they become frustrated and disenfranchised. The second chapter speaks to the problem. Covey puts much of the blame on our corporations:

We live in a Knowledge Worker Age but operate our organizations in a controlling Industrial Age model that absolutely suppresses the release of human potential. Voice is essentially irrelevant.

In essence, our society has placed a higher value on controlling and managing people as things rather than as a whole person. A whole person with heart, mind, body and soul.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part is focused on how we can find our voice. The second part is focused on how we can inspire others to find their voice. Covey recommends that the best approach to gain the greatest results from his book is to adopt a yearlong personal growth and development program. Spend one month for each of the twelve chapters.