Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People".

Stephen Covey (died in 2012) sold more than 25 million copies, and it continues to top the list of influential books.  Its relevance today is to encourage those who are time poor to achieve a better balance in their lives.

The aim of the 7 Habits is to acquire self-mastery, from these principles:

               Be proactive

               Begin with the end in mind (put into words what is important, a vision statement)

               Put first things first (plan and prioritise)

               Think win-win

               Seek first to understand then be understood

               Synergize (combine peoples' strengths) and improve attitudes

               Renew one's personal energy and health.

He was ground -breaking because his approach was to focus on what managers are, not what they do; to work first on themselves, then relationships, then organisation.

Current studies of the most effective business leaders show they are often quiet achievers with strong values - very much the Covey paradigm.

He didn't really uncover any universal truths, perhaps stated what is common sense, but as Covey said 'common sense was not necessarily common'.

The principles and values are still useful and relevant in business today:

               Understand the situation

               Clarify goals and vision

               Plan and prioritise

               Get everyone on board and at their best

               Monitor and manage what is important