THE LAST TWO HABITS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

THE LAST TWO HABITS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

By: Ruel Jan Anthony A. Moldez

Habit 6: Synergize                                                   Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

The Habit of Creative Cooperation                     The Habit of Self-Renewal

(Drawing)                                                                  (Drawing)

Leaders can conceive and articulate goals that lift people out of their petty preoccupations and unite them in pursuit of objectives worthy of their best efforts.

In earlier habits, we already talked about abundance and the power of visualizing. Synergize is the mindset to get there and is a mindset of unlimited potential. Consequently, it is the ability to create more together with others so that we can be by ourselves. It pursues to convey the will power of human beings to have the energy and invincible determination with the right motive to manufacture the exceptional levers that move the world. Cooperation is remarkably the main objective of Habit 6 and 7. Creative Cooperation is an effective way in dealing with foreign and unique identities. Celebrating differences is another step to the completion of synergy in leadership. The paradigm shift in this habit focuses around differences, they’re not annoying, they’re very precious. The moment you realize this is wonderful, and you recognize the hidden value in it. It makes you wonder why you burnt all that energy on fighting differences, when there’s so much to gain from acknowledging them. When people begin to interact together genuinely, and they’re open to each other’s influence, they begin to gain new insight. The capability of inventing new approaches is increased exponentially because of differences. To put things in much simpler perspective, synergy means two heads are better than one. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

No matter how much we have advanced with the previous habits, Sharpening the Saw, Habit 7 still claims to be the superb perpetual habit. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. As you renew yourself in each of the four areas, you create growth and change in your life. Sharpen the Saw keeps you fresh so you can continue to practice the other six habits. You increase your capacity to produce and handle the challenges around you. Habit 7 tells us to “be fit for purpose”. The title of the habit is derived from wise craftsmen. You have to take care of your tools! If you’re cutting down trees and your saw is dull, it will take an agonizing long time. And since it took so long, you’re behind schedule, so you have to rush to the next tree. But if you take the time to sharpen your saw, taking down the tree will be less strenuous and will deliver results faster. You will make up for “lost” time! Investing time to prepare your tools, pays itself back. Patience is a virtue that escorts you to the consummate path wherein you then learn to conquer destiny and perform intricate and complex duties and responsibilities.

Stephen Covey is an outstanding writer. Perhaps, even a very cognizant man with a brilliant and meaningful desire in life, to equip people with indisputable skills required as we sail through life. Due to his obscure aspiration to impart among men a valuable moral, he published his beneficial book on leadership to express how much crucial it is in life knowing it is the only safe ship in a devastating storm.

“Great leadership does not mean running away from reality. Sometimes the hard truths might just demoralize the company, but at other times sharing difficulties can inspire people to take action that will make the situation better.”