The role of the leader is to foster mutual respect and build a complementary team where each strength is made productive and each weakness irrelevant.

Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are universal principles and most of what I wrote about is just common sense. I am embarrassed when people talk about the Covey Habits, and dislike the idea of being some sort of guru.

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.

A life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth.

Balance isn't either/or; it's 'and'.

If you focus on principles, you empower everyone who understands those principles to act without constant monitoring, evaluating, correcting, or controlling.

Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. Instead of projecting your own autobiography and assuming thoughts, feelings, motives and interpretation, you're dealing with the reality inside another person's head and heart. You're listening to understand. You're focused on receiving the deep communication of another human soul.