Second half of Chapter 7: S. Covey's Habit #4: Think WinWin

In the first half of this chapter, Mr. Covey presented six paradigms of interaction. He then explained all six, and stated the Win/Win paradigm was the most effective. In this half of this review, Mr. Covey focuses on Habit #4: Think Win/Win.

Five Dimensions of Win/Win

Win/Win is the habit of interpersonal leadership. It involves mutual learning, mutual influence, mutual benefits. Effective interpersonal leadership requires the vision, the proactive initiative, and the security, guidance, wisdom, and power that come from principle-centered personal leadership.

Here are five interdependent dimensions of life:

1) Character: There are three character traits essential to the Win/Win paradigm: Integrity, maturity, abundance mentality

2) Relationships: If you have built up trust in your Emotional Bank Account, you can be open with each other. Because of mutual respect, you will be willing to listen and to try to understand each other's point of view.

You can create a positive, cooperative energy focused on thoroughly understanding the issues and resolving them in a mutually beneficial way.

Sometimes, as when you are dealing with someone with a win/lose paradigm, you will have to deal with some deep issues and fundamental differences. The relationship between you is still key.

Make deposits in the Emotional Bank Account through genuine courtesy, respect, and appreciation for that person and their point of view.

Listen more; don't be reactive. Keep hammering out the agreement until the other person realizes that you genuinely want the resolution to be a real win for you both.

3) Agreements: In a Win/Win agreement, there are five necessary elements:

• Desired results (not methods): Identify what is to be done and when.
• Guidelines: Parameters (principles, policies, etc.) within which results are to be accomplished.
• Resources: Human, financial, technical, or organizational resources that are available to help accomplish the results.
• Accountability: Standards of performance at time of evaluation.
• Consequences: Specify what does and will happen as a result of the evaluation.

4) Systems: Systems must support Win/Win or it won't work. The problem is often the system, not the people.

5) Processes: Become involved in a five-step process.

• See the problem from the other person's point of view, and really try to understand, and to give expression to the needs of the other party.
• Identify the key issues and concerns (not positions) involved.
• Determine what results would constitute a fully acceptable solution.
• Identify possible new options to achieve those results

This is the conclusion of Chapter 7. We will discuss another of the 7 habits in the next chapter. If you can, find the book and read it, as the examples given make the whole process much clearer. .