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Highly Effective People
5

Highly Effective People

Highly Effective People

(OP)
Hi,

Recently I started reading the book 'The Seven Habbits of Highly Effective People' from S.R.Covey.
I've just started and reached the second habbit, but I must say it's a book which grabbed my attention as from the start.

I sincerely do believe that this book may change my view of life and that it will influence my performance at work in a possitive sence.

Anybody who would like to share some experience?
Thanks.

Regards,
FKE

RE: Highly Effective People

FKE,

I read this book after taking a "several semester" break from engineering undergrad.  After reading the book I was a completely different student.  I went from C+(s) to A(s) and even A+(s).  After a horrible start I ended up with a 3.5 QGPA and passing score on the FE (first attempt).

I was recently thinking it is time to revisit the book - I'm glad you brought it up!

RE: Highly Effective People


out of left field:

I read "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond and felt similar motivation, because I firmly disagree with his premise.

Something about squandering randomly assigned advantages really bothers something deep inside, but I'm out to prove to myself everyday that I can something that others cannot, no matter how evenly the deck is stacked.

RE: Highly Effective People

Another amazing one is Og Mendino's "The World's Greatest Salesman."

RE: Highly Effective People

Those Dale Carnegie classes are really good too.

They were much better than the 7 Habits book.

RE: Highly Effective People

(OP)
Hi, Thank you all so far.

Checked the internet; www.brainyquote.com which shows quotes from Dale Carnegie, and many others.
I must say it's fun reading the quotes of Carnegie, and they also make a lot of sence.

Slugger926, in which way do you mean that Carnegie classes are much better than the 7 habits book? Which book of Carnegie do you recommend?

Covey said of the 7 habits that he was just writing down common sense, and not having the intention to being some kind of a guru.

Thanks!

Regards.

RE: Highly Effective People

Carnegie's famous (infamous to some) book is "How to Win Friends and Influence People."  I think I remember hearing that it is second only to the Bible in number of printings, but I'm not sure if that's true.

I haven't read the 7 habits book but I have read Carnegie's book.  I thought it was good, and I try to use some of the advice; however, I don't use all of his advice, and in many situations, I throw his advice out the window (sometimes for good, other times, not so good).

Carnegie's book has reached near cult status with some, so there is the predictable backlash out there.  There was a thread a while back that discussed this book, and others, in more detail.  See thread731-81220 if you're interested.

RE: Highly Effective People

3
Pfff... it's so much easier to write books about being effective than actually being effective.

It happened more than once to me (actually it did the other day) that I was impressed at first glance by someone who looks very assertive, shows "ownership" and "dedication" and appears to be the most effective person on earth, and after a few hours of working together turns out to be a diligent but brainless Beaker unable to tell important from unimportant, considering every minor issue an occasion to waste enery on.

Congratulations to everybody who benefited from these books, but IMHO there is such thing as too effective or not lazy enough. (or is that just a weak excuse..? )

RE: Highly Effective People

I liked Beaker...

Right on, epoisses. Sure he can talk the talk...

RE: Highly Effective People

In contrast to "The Seven Habbits of Highly Effective People" by S.R.Covey you might want to look at "Seven Years of Highly Defective People" by S. Adams.

RE: Highly Effective People

I was sent to take the twelve week (4 hours per day/1 day per week) Dale Carnegie Training course by my company.  Usually just upper executives take these classes, and they don't want their subordinates take the classes, because you might see through them.

Anyways, it covered two main books: How to Win Friends & Influence People, and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

It covered most everything that the 7 Habits book covered, plus improptu speaking, and giving speeches without memorizing them.  It covered how to motivate people, and how to have them buy in on your ideas.  It covered people skills.  It gives you the tools that most engineers lack in being respected by executives.  The course will push you outside your comfort zones!!!

You can probably pick up a lot from the books alone.

RE: Highly Effective People

@Comcokid: sounds like great fun!

If I had time I'd write my own book:

Seven annoying habits of highly effective people:

1. Be late at every meeting so you don't have to wait for the others.
2. Plan parallel meetings so you can pick the highest priority one.
3. When asked to do something, always ask: "can you fire a little email at me to confirm that?"
4. Send lots of emails to show you're so busy but never reply to one.
5. After picking up the phone but before answering, keep talking for at least 10 seconds to the person that happens to be in your office.
6. Never leave or come to the office without at least two briefcases visibly full of to do items (no problem if it's always the same to do items).
7. Always CC yourself when you send an email just to have even more stuff to read and to annoy all recipients with ever-expanding distribution lists throughout the thread.


RE: Highly Effective People

(OP)
Hi,
Anybody who read these kinds of books sincerely changed their view of life, or changed personality?
Anybody experienced a change in direction regarding his/her career?
Looking forward to replies.
Thanks!

Regards.

RE: Highly Effective People

By taking the Dale Carnegie class, you get a tool box, and are coached by the instuctors while you practice your new tools.

It makes a big difference to have the tools and use them.  It is just like someone giving you a car and teaching you to drive.  After you got the car and learned to drive, you don't know what you did without it before.

I wish they required the Dale Carnegie class for engineering schools.  It really helps in the business world, at church, and in the personal life.

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