Guru Ratings
Stephen Covey
Bad.
Remember my ratings criteria. I’m not judging these gurus on “global” or moral values, but very specific criteria. Many of my favorite books would be rated “bad” by my criteria for self-help (probably, because they are not self-help books). My ratings don’t reflect how well an author met his own goals, but how well they met my criteria for useful, accurate self-help.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989)
Covey gives 7 habits as the keys to greatness: Be pro-active. Plan. Do important things first. Think win/win. Understand first, be understood second. Synergize. Sharpen the saw.
That’s good advice, but some of Covey’s particulars (especially the spiritual bits) are questionable.
The book epitomizes the self-help industry’s strategies: focus on motivation, regurgitate clichés in a gimmicky structure, and give advice that excites readers but doesn't really help. (That way, the readers will still be craving solutions when the next book comes out).
First Things First (1994)
First Things First elaborates one of the 7 habits. Covey takes 300 pages to say, “Do important things first.” Wow.
The 8th Habit (2004)
The 8th Habit revealed the stupid gimmick for those who missed it the first time. Covey claimed to have “discovered” an 8th secret to success: find your voice and inspire others to find their’s.
It’s a good thing Covey figured that out! Up until 2004, the sum of human knowledge on personal effectiveness only knew of 7 habits! This book was the punchline to a joke that took Covey 15 years to tell. The joke was so funny we paid him over $20 million for it.