Title: The Leader in Me
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Basic Overview:
The Leader in Me is about the implementation of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective people in elementary schools (from kindergarten upwards) throughout the USA and the rest of the world. A large portion of the book is dedicated to an in-depth look at the first school to implement the 7 Habits Leadership approach, AB Combs. Ab Combs is credited with being the school to not only pilot the approach, but to have come up with the idea to teach the 7 Habits to children. AB Combs saw incredible, positive, changes as the result; it has also become a shining example for many schools that have made the switch since.
After giving the background information from AB Combs, the book then travels around the world to look at the different approaches other schools are taking (Canada, Guatemala, Singapore, etc.), all to achieve great success. This is then followed with a great chapter on bringing it all home: how you, as a parent, can implement these same principles at home (even if your child isn’t in a 7 Habits focused school).
Parts I liked best:
I loved reading all the different ways that each school implemented the 7 Habits Leadership focus. While they all put their own spin on it, they all experienced similar results: higher test scores, more harmonious students, happier students and a happier staff. What continuously stood out to me is that all these ideas could be so easily implemented at home. While the book was written about schools, it could have just as easily been written about homes. After all, homes are the first school.
It was also interesting to read how many teachers who were opposed to the change (because they didn’t want “one more thing” on the long list of “things” to do) usually ended up the biggest supporters after the switch had been made. The reason: it isn’t one more thing to do; it is a new way to do the things you were already doing and get more out of them. It isn’t “one more thing”; it is simple a better way.
How this book made an impact in my life, especially as a mother (or why I just really liked it):
This book has single-handedly made a paradigm shift for the better in my parenting style. I have read a lot of parenting books but this is the first book that I have read where I felt a deep rooting to principles that I can model in my own life and teach to my children. Already being a fan of the 7 Habits, I was intrigued at the idea of teaching them to my children (particularly while they are still young), and this book has filled me with plenty of ideas on how to do that. The chapter about bringing it home grounded those ideas in my heart and we are going full steam ahead. I have a deep desire to see my kids firmly rooted in who they are, with direction; leaders of their own lives; and I certainly feel this book as helped me move forward in that direction.
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