Sunday, March 22, 2009

7 Habits--First Understand

This chapter was very straightforward.  Seeking first to understand then to be understood is probably simplest of the principles, but the hardest to master.  It requires a major shift from the paradigm we usually use to 'listen' to others.  Putting yourself in someone else's shoes and really understanding their point of view is the best relationship builder you can do.  Nothing else shows that you care and understand them as much as that.

This principle is useful in any situation--with family, friends, superiors, subordinates, and peers.  As an action that can be applied in every interpersonal interaction, it is of course vital for a strong leader to be able to do.  A leader must really seek to understand his subordinates, to build on the bond of trust that his personal principles originally instilled in them.  He must understand his superiors, in order to carry out their orders to the best of his abilities.  

Understanding first is really the interpersonal display of the first three personal principles.  Once you understand yourself, you can extend that understanding to other people.  But without that strong personal base, it will seem a shallow attempt to manipulate.  If the win/win is a business attitude, understanding is a personal one, and probably the most important principle so far.

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