This book is a wonderful gift for anyone needing a lift, including yourself. It is filled with unique quotes that are both humorous and inspirational. Not only will it make you think, but make you want to DO if you have your own vision you are trying to make a reality. The passages and quotes also come in handy at meetings and in newsletters if you want to add a little enlightenment! A great addition to your bookshelf, or to pass on!

If you are looking for a leadership book with a different approach from the usual leadership book, and one that is intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking, then you should definitely read this book of collected talks, essays, and articles from Robert K. Greenleaf.

Armed with varied and extensive civilian leadership experience, Greenleaf boldly took me on "a journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness." This journey challenged me early on when Greenleaf stated that the traditional hierarchical leadership used in most organizations, one person in charge as the lone chief atop a pyramidal structure, is the likely cause of most of our leadership problems. Greenleaf favored another, less frequently used tradition where the principle leader is "primus inter pares" - first among equals.

Throughout the book, Greenleaf made a compelling case that "primus inter pares" exists in important places with conspicuous success. With my leadership experience rooted in the traditional military hierarchical structure, at times it was difficult to understand Greenleaf's perspectives on the first or second read.

Greenleaf's insights into the servant as leader (one who makes sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served) in the first chapter lays the foundation for his subsequent chapters: the institution as servant, trustees as servants, servant leadership in business, servant leadership in education, servant leadership in foundations, servant leadership in churches, servant leaders, servant responsibility in a bureaucratic society, and America and world leadership.

With all the recent attention focused on moral and ethical breakdowns within some large and powerful institutions (Enron, WorldCom, Arthur Anderson, the Catholic Church, etc.), this book's continued relevance is obvious. Overcoming my challenges in reading this book was definitely worth the effort.

You only need one book on the purpose and spirit of leadership and this is it. The single first essay is all that is really needed, yet Greenleaf offers several alternate versions for various professions and walks of life. Stick with the first and any specific one that applies to you.
This is why leaders lead. No tricks, no help here for someone wanting to learn leadership tricks to advance or get ahead. If you have a cause, if you want to serve, then this is for you. Corporate ladder climbers and greedy chumps need no waste their time.

This collection of Robert Greenleaf's lectures, essays and articles is truly remarkable, if for nothing else, for it's timing. Though originally compiled and published in the late seventy's, Robert Greenleaf's thoughts on Leadership were originally written and spoken in the 50's, 60's and early 70's ---- Fully 20 years ahead of the surge in popularity of "teams", "loyalty", "mutual-service covenants", and "empowerment". As Nagle and Pascarella point out in LEVERAGING PEOPLE AND PROFIT - THE HARD WORK of SOFT MANAGEMENT, "the next frontier of competitive advantage lies in engaging and energizing the creativity and enthusiasm of the workforce". It was Robert Greenleaf who first marked the trail to this frontier by teaching business managers how to lead by serving the needs of all stakeholders. Greenleaf understood (and clearly articulated) the need to shift the workplace environment away from "compliance", and toward "enthusiastic engagement". He understood that the scientific workplace created by F.W. Taylor was but a stepping stone to a more civil, more satisfying, and ultimately more productive covenant of service, satisfaction, and growth. Though at times ponderous and obscure, Greenleaf's work should be required reading for fresh-faced MBAs who have grown accustomed to the pablum of simple formulas and buzzwords. Perhaps if more of them were forced to chew their way through his thought processes, there might be more LEADERS and fewer paint-by-numbers B-school clones.

I found this was very applicable Covey-ese in a spiritual setting. It made religious principles that I feel strongly about, more realistic for day-to-day situations. Although sometimes the advice was a little simplistic, it was generally very well thought out, and realistic.

I read this book for the first time back in 1980 when Steven R Covey was not a household name. It helped me to ACT where I had previously only THOUGHT about making changes in my life. I found that for me, it was a life changing event. I read it again in 2001 and it had the same effect. It amazes me that the council and advice offered within would be as applicable today as in 1980. That's the power of this book. It was deeper and wider than imagined and I believe it to be one of the best self-help books of all time when dealing with life in a spiritual realm.

This is the original from which Covey based all his later 7 Habits books, writings, seminars, etc. Much more powerful than expected, this is not a book for the squeamish. If you're afraid to improve, if you're afraid to make your life enormously successful, then stay away from this book. If you want to know what First Things First means, here's a great place to start.

This is the best book on time management I have ever read. "First Things First" puts "Seven Habits" into action. It takes the "Habits" principles--sometimes a bit too abstract (and obtuse) and shows you how to put them to work. If you find you don't have time for the people and things that are really important in your life, read this book. If you take the suggestions seriously, you will never again short-change what you love. And, if you do, you will be at least be aware of your choices. A word of warning, though: Covey has an entire catalogue of products to sell you to support "First Things First," but the company does seem to be committed to "principle centered" business

I have to get a couple of things out of the way right now to make you understand why this book has been so important to me (and could be to you as well). First, I am definitely someone who shuns most self-help tomes--I think most of them are crutches for weak people too lazy to get their acts together or too clueless to embrace a little common sense. Second, my prior experiences with the Covey cult were less than satisfying, as I had a boss (now departed) who talked the Covey talk but did not (I now see) truly walk the walk. This book differs from the _7 Habits_ texts in that it really deals with taking the general Covey concepts ("principle-centered living") and giving them a practical sheen--in this case by applying them to time management. Learning to divide my activities between "urgent" and "important," planning my life around certain "roles" that I have to fill, and composing a "mission statement" (a much more realistic and helpful version of year 2000 New Year's resolutions for me)--these were the concepts that have really helped me organize my life as efficiently as possible (and I was already pretty organized). I highly recommend buying the book and then following up by getting a Franklin Covey planner, where you can take the lessons from the book and start building your time and life around them. I have loaned the book to several friends and students (I teach high school) and all of them have benefitted from it in some way or another. Buying _First Things First_ will be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

And I can't believe I just wrote a positive review of a self-help book. Trust me on how helpful this book can be.

A valuable book. This is a must read for any one who wants to be effective in life. The 7 habits author - Stephen Covey - effectively describes this 4th generation time management tool to help us lead a fulfilling life. This book is a practical book, gives tables and charts to be useful on a daily basis. Briefly it talks about our (Life's) Mission statement, the roles which we need to play and the goals in each of our roles. It uses a weekly format instead of a daily or monthly format. A gem of a book, not to be missed.

While some of the comments and insights are interesting, I question the credibility of such a homogeneous group of contributors as we enter the business world of the 21st century.

A book about business priciples in the future should represent a diverse global workforce and customer base. This book, without a single female contributor, stands firmly planted in the past.

Rethinking the Future is a collection of interviews with experts who examine issues related to organizational change for the twenty-first century. The book contains a framework for creating the future in business, economics, and society in an environment of rapid change. The book has six sections with contributions from various writers as follows:

Rethinking Principles - Charles Handy, Stephen Covey Rethinking Competition - Michael Porter, CK Prahalad, Gary Hamel Rethinking Control & Complexity - Michael Hammer, Eli Goldblatt, Peter Senge Rethinking Leadership - Warren Bennis, John Kotter Rethinking Markets - Al Ries & Jack Trout, Philip Kotler Rethinking the World - John Naisbitt, Lester Thurow, Kevin Kelly

These thinkers present diverse views about key issues within their fields at the dawn of the 21st century. There are some common themes. Technology is viewed by all as the catalyst for the rapid rate of change. The widespread availability of technology has led to the democratization of information throughout the workplace. The world's leading nations in the east and the west are experiencing a shift to a knowledge-based economy requiring knowledge workers. These knowledge workers must be highly educated and possess technology skills. Another theme with strong consensus is the notion that the path to the future won't be found by implementing models and strategies that have been successful in the past.

Technology has facilitated the globalization of the world economy. This trend has forced business to rethink itself in terms of competition, markets, and trade. Convergence within and between industries will continue. This is evidenced by project or product based alliances. The goal of business is the satisfaction of customer needs. The informed customer is demanding a higher level of products, services, and satisfaction.

The 21st century leader has a responsibility to generate intellectual capital within the organization. The leader focuses the company on its purpose and principles. The leader's key obligation is to articulate vision and lead by example.

This selection is engaging reading. Gibson provides us with a wide lens to view many pictures of the future. He showcases a group of specialists from different fields. Rethinking the Future dispels the myth that the future can be easily predicted.

Melanie Tucker Pepperdine University Doctoral Student Educational Technology

Este debe ser uno de los libros más interesantes que he leido. Lo recomiendo tanto para alumnos de econonomía como para ejecutivos de areas similares. Concentra a grandes autores del area producción y economía, de los cuales destaco Goldratt. Realmente es excelente el libro.

Interesting read at the beginning, but becomes rather boring and lack of solid substance towards the end. However the book contains a lot of interesting and inspiring metaphors which have saved the book from becoming a boring read.

P.

Dr. Lee is an associate of Stephen R. Covey and vice president of Franklin Covey Company. If you appreciate Dr. Covey's books including Principle-Centered Leadership or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you will want this book! Blaine Lee discusses what he terms the power principle, which has the potential to significantly impact all of our relationships in and out of the workplace.

In a nutshell this power principle is defined as learning to influence with honor. Dr. Lee begins the book by discussing the relationship between power and influence. Most societies and cultures use two fundamental power strategies to influence others and achieve efficiency. The first power strategy is one of forced coercion. People do things because they are afraid not to. The person in authority has the "ability to intimidate or bully people, to do something unpleasant or uncomfortable to other people." The second option is that of a fair exchange approach. People do what they are told because of what the person in authority can do for them. They offer their services because "I will pay you if you'll do what I want. I have something to exchange for your time and effort...I've got something you want, you've got something I want. Let's make a deal." Blaine explains how these two approaches may be efficient but long-term they are not effective or productive.

The Power Principle offers a third approach to power strategy. It is predicated on a number of core principles clearly discussed by Dr. Lee. This is a different kind of power since it "suggests that the person you believe is powerful is someone others believe in, someone they honor, someone they respect." When others honor you, you have the ability to have sustained, long-term influence with them. The second 2/3rds of the book discusses why the power principle makes a difference, what they are, and how to use this strategy with your family, customers and coworkers. The final chapters deal with making a commitment to change and the power principle a lifelong quest.

This is an outstanding work and makes an excellent companion to Dr. Covey's highly respected principle-centered philosophy.

I believe the message of this book is so powerful I use it as one of the textbooks for the Classroom Management course that I teach. My students rave about it and feel that it gives them a better insight into their own issues regarding power. Many have said that the book has helped them with their relationships.

I first read this book a couple of years ago, and found it valuable though hardly revolutionary. As many other reviewers have pointed out, most of what is covered by this book is common sense and almost self evident. As a non-believer in everything supernatural, I also was slightly disturbed by the authors frequent references to Scripture and spirituality. And finally, back then I was pretty at ease with my current life situation and did not feel much need for change. I read the book mostly because my girlfriend wanted me to. So the book really did not affect my life much.

When I now re-read the book, I judge it from a somewhat different perspective. Relational problems, financial and career troubles have forced me to realize that a change is needed. The "habits" discussed in the book are still pretty obvious, but this time I agree with the author about their importance for a happy life. I have decided to try to implement them in my life, starting by writing a personal Mission Statement. That's the easy part! But living it every day is hard even when you totally agree with the author's analysis. Where do I find the will-power needed to make all this happen? The author has very little to say about this. He is very clear about one thing: You have to do it all yourself. You have to be disciplined. But for many of us, this is exactly the problem! We are sloppy, non-planning individuals that simply don't know how to take control of our lives. The book teaches you that you have to, it even tells you what to do. But it doesn't tell you how to force yourself to do it, it doesn't say were you can find the strength and endurance.

I think I already live according to habit 1 & 2. I don't blame others, I know I must do the job, and I even think I know where I want to go in life. This book have also taught me how to get there through habits 3 to 7. But not how to force myself to give up old, destructive habits in order to replace them with something better.

I have never wished for an easy fix, such as a pill that would make me happy. But if there was a pill I could take that gave me the willpower needed to really live according to this book, then I would take it, and I'm convinced that this really would change my life. However, without such a pill, I doubt I ever will be able to live the principle-based life this book teaches, however much I agree that it would be an enormous improvement.

I wish this book was required for life like air is for breathing. The Seven Habits (which has sold close to one gajillion copies, at last count) have become so immensely popular for one very good reason--they work. The more you think about Covey's words, the more the truth of them sinks in. Covey starts by asking his readers to invest in character rather than personality, then takes the reader on a wholistic journey to find out what's really important to him/her. No, there's no metaphysical sojourn and we never see Shirley MacLaine, but Covey does ask the reader to ask some serious questions. With those answers, he helps you build a life focused on the values you have chosen and guided by the principles that lead us all. Career management, time control, priorities, family, career, leisure, friends--it's all in here. The Seven Habits are all about becoming the best person you can be, starting first with independence, then working toward interdependence. Covey may not be the most interesting writer in the world, but the message he brings is far too important to miss. If you're not afraid to find out about yourself and have the courage to change yourself into the best person you can be, do yourself an incredible favor and read this book.

This is a book that has changed my life irrevocably and forever. It required great energy, patience and time to read, one with much meaning and very deep in content. In fact, after struggling through the first two Principles outlined in this book I found myself putting it away on the shelf. For nearly a year it sat there and I didn't pick it up again until I had another reason to. The second time around I could not put the book down and took prolific amounts of notes. The third time I read it I learned even more.

This book is about self, about becoming the true you and living your life optimally. This is not a pep-rally or a psychological breakdown of "The 100 Top Tips to Boost Your Self-Esteem". The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is all about understanding where you can (should) be taking yourself in your life. The influence, the support, the understanding, the energy that Dr. Stephen Covey discusses comes from within yourself; it is not an external influence that fades as soon as the source is gone. You create it; you live it; it becomes you and you become it. These principles are not subject to the whims of others. You create yourself, you build upon yourself and you become an effective person in your life through learning to help yourself and others. You learn how to graduate from dependence to independence and then even further on to a higher level: interdependence all by looking deeply within yourself and following seven sound principles that are laid out in a very logical, rational and emotionally-sound manner. The principles behind Dr. Covey's ideas are based on faith in self, community and God. He helps you to understand the philosophy, "Love Me for Me."

In The Seven Habits, Covey talks about the Personal Mission Statement. This is a project that you create, write, rewrite over and over until it describes the person you most want to be. Then you simply spend the rest of your life living those beliefs until you become that person. It is probably the easiest, yet most difficult thing you will ever do in your entire life. Why? Because you must devote your entire life, and energy to this task. How easy it is to become side-tracked and slide into old habits of comfort. But these old habits are the ones that you want to rewrite with new, better habits. This is a difficult road to follow. It is also, without a doubt the most rewarding activity you will ever do in your entire life. After all, the most rewarding things in life are often the most difficult.

The strength of the abridged audiocassette is the conviction in Dr. Covey's voice. It will convince you that this is an important subject.

The weakness of this audiocassette is that you will learn the principles behind Quadrant Two Time Management, but not how to do it. As the audiocassette will tell you, you will need to buy the book, study it, and then start doing it. I thought this was so substantial a weakness that I graded the book down two stars for this limitation.

If you are pretty sure you want to use this method, go directly to the book. If you are not sure, listen to this audiocassette. I found a copy in my local library. Perhaps you can, too.

The time management technique here is intended to be a fourth generation of that method of getting more accomplished. The main different is that the goals here are to achieve more balance in your life by having you focus first on doing what is most important to you that will make the most difference. You will plan weekly, and reiterate your planning to learn from your experiences of the prior week.

Quadrant 2 is the area where activities are important, but not urgent. These activities are often overlooked, or are pushed out of the way by urgent activities, including ones that are unimportant.

The time management process is designed to handle all elements of your life, personal life as well as work. An analogy is used to putting big rocks, gravel, sand, and water into a jar. If you start with the big rocks, you can get everything in the jar. If you start in the opposite order, you'll never fit the big rocks in.

You are encouraged to develop a personal mission statement (because seeing meaning to life gives us more optimism and perserverance), consider all of your life roles, locate the highest payoff areas for those roles, make principle-centered decisions, exercise integrity in your moments of choice, and continually reevaluate how you are doing.

After you listen to this work, consider how well balanced or unbalanced your life is. Then think about what your habits are that cause you to have such imbalances. Next, start changing those habits to better ones.

Are you ready to work? Really? If not - don't waste your time. But if you are, don't miss this book and don't miss the audio tapes! If you are willing to have your life work for you, and you are willing to pay the price of having to change your current life style, you will see in S. Covey's books all you need. These are not "quick fix" literature. These are ever lasting set of principles and distinctions that once you have and master - you cab be the source of self expression, love, self fulfillment, contribution and service to your self and the rest of your family, employees, friends etc. GO FOR IT!!! (Ronen Ben-Naphtali)

Stephen R Covey is more than an inspirational writer. Covey empowers the reader with techniques to improve lifestyle habits. His wisdom allows the reader to regain control of his life. Instead of being a slave to everyone else's priorities, you become faithful to your own aspirations and priorities. This book has given me the courage to examine my life to ensure that I am on the path of life that I want to be on instead of the path that my life dictates. Anyone who struggles with not having enough time for the things that really matter should read this book. It will give you the gift of discovering where the time for those "First things" are.

A CD-Rom jammed with articles from EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE. I actually got my copy as a bonus for subscribing a couple of years ago. Many of the articles are interesting, but they are all quite short, almost MTV-ish. This seems to be the preferred style for this publication. If you are a fan of Warren Bennis, or one of the writers who regularly contribute to that publication, this is a good way to pick up some new material from your favored writer. The articles are on a variety of topics, which means that there will probably be something for everyone with an interest in this subject, but by the same token, there will be a lot that won't interest you. The CD includes a search engine that is workable. I benefitted from the magazine and the CD, but they didn't set my world on fire.