To Mr. Stephen R. Covey:
Dear Stephen,
I bought my first copy of your book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People back in the mid-1990’s. I was working as a low-level manager at the time, and wanted to be more organized on the job. I knew nothing about the book, except that everyone seemed to have a copy of it, and everyone absolutely loved it.
You were the first person in my middle-management days to point out to me that management was not necessarily the same thing as leadership. I’ll never forget the first time I read what you wrote about the difference between management and leadership… to this day it’s burned in my brain:
You can quickly grasp the important difference between the two if you envision a group of producers cutting their way through the jungle with machetes. They’re the producers, the problem solvers. They’re cutting through the undergrowth, clearing it out.
The managers are behind them, sharpening their machetes, writing policy and procedure manuals, holding muscle development programs, bringing in improved technologies and setting up working schedules and compensation programs for machete wielders.
The leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, “Wrong jungle!”
– Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, page 101
For me, this one story changed everything.
I could see that I was an expert in machete training programs and working schedules. I discovered that what I wanted to become was an expert tree climber with eagle-eye vision and a voice that carries through the jungle.
Since that first reading, I’ve used dozens of Franklin Covey planners, read more of your books, even started an Imperfect Action Force group as part of your online community. However, it wasn’t until just today – when I learned of your passing – that I see how deeply your teachings have entered my own practice.
Over the years, you have:
– Introduced me to the potential of holistic and interpersonal leadership
– Instilled in me an appreciation of the power of empathic communication
– Celebrated with me the synergy that occurs with creative cooperation
– Given me permission – and a prescription! – to claim the time to sharpen ones own saw for a balanced and renewing life.
I hadn’t put it together before today, but these four things are cornerstones of my own business and practice as a graphic facilitator and stick figure strategist.
So thank you, Stephen, for helping me see – and believe – that I could climb. And for helping so many others do the same.
With thanks
