7 Habits--an overview

Covey continues to elaborate on his "Habits" program in this chapter.  It is interesting to read about how we are a composite of habits; I am learning about much the same thing in my psych class right now.  Habits are something we tend to do in a situation.  A group of habits forms a trait.  And traits are the foundation of human personality types.  Covey is all about changing negative aspects of personality beginning with habits.  If habits change, which he assures the reader is possible if difficult, the whole personality will shift as a result.

It was intriguing to read about dependence, independence, and interdependence.  Nowadays, the American ideal is to be independent, and island unto ones self.  Covey points out though, that our obsession with "asserting ourselves" and "doing our own thing," really reveals dependencies like being subject to the emotional weakness of others.  I have never thought about that.  Letting go and breaking off ties really reveals an internal weakness to others, not a personal strength.  It certainly is a break from the self-serving, cover-your-own-back "independence" drivel that we are usually fed.

Interdependence is how the world really functions, Covey says.  This becomes clear upon even minor reflection.  Especially in the Army, interdependence is extremely important.  In order for a unit to function effectively, it has to work and flow like a unilateral body, a team in which everyone contributes their all for the betterment of the whole.  However, a unit cannot function effectively if it is strictly dependent.  Everyone in the unit has to know everyone else's job and how to react to certain situations.  For example, equipment accountability cannot be neglected because a squad leader or a psg is occupied with something else.  Personal responsibility and teamwork have to meld into interdependence for the unit to function.

Also, it is important for one to distinguish between the production and the production capability.  They must be in balance for the situation in question to have a desirable efficient outcome.  If soldiers are the PC, then the mission is the P.  The mission must be accomplished, but if the soldiers are run into the ground, their maintenance (both physical and mental) neglected, then they will not be as effective on subsequent missions.  Their production would decrease to an undesirable level.  One has to find the balance between outcome and method in order to be an effective leader, or to have a desirable result in anything, for that matter.