The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness- A Book Review
Abstract
We begin the opening of this review with the word turbulence. The metaphor, turbulence, aptly fits the description of Stephen Covey’s book ‘The 8th Habit’. It takes the reader on an excursion into the sky beyond the clouds, and when there is a change of weather, the air pockets and fighter jets attack. Your survival instinct is at its peak-manoeuvring the aircraft is a must, and the turbulence must be understood despite the challenging situation-survival is a must. When it is all done, the impulse of victory ignites the soul to fight again, and turbulence is the teacher of greatness. Unlike another book on leadership, Covey has mastered the art and science of teaching to new students. The author uses diagrams, narratives, personal experiences, expert narrations in different areas of leadership, empirical studies and simple language to take readers through the turbulence of authentic leadership issues. The 8th Habit is a historical analysis of leadership issues, literature review, personal narratives and action research to navigate the discipline of leadership-past and present. Indeed, Covey is a leadership expert, a curriculum developer and a master teacher who holds the hands of the readers and brings them through the most challenging concepts with constructivist teaching. The man is undoubtedly a master writer, a wordsmith and an expert in conceptual teaching-the book is a teaching tool and one of the best books I have read on leadership.
