I recently traveled to the UK and had the opportunity to meet Ed Balls, Minister of Education. I was pleased to hear of his interest in finding out how 7 Habits school programs were doing in the UK. Mr. Balls was surprised to hear that one such program was being piloted at a school not too far from his home. He committed to go to the school to observe the program.

I strongly believe that the 7 Habits is a key to turning around schools to help improve teaching, student performance, partnerships with parents and overall success. We have many schools in the U.S. integrating the 7 Habits into their curriculum with great success.

At the secondary level, one great success is found at the AB Combs Elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina. They have transformed themselves into a model school by infusing their curriculum and school culture with the 7 Habits. Student performance has risen, discipline problems have declined and teacher job satisfaction has gone up. If you would like to learn more about AB Combs Elementary and their success, you might be interested in reading The Leader in Me or learn more in Community by going to The Leader in Me Group.

I look forward to hearing back from Mr. Balls as he evaluates the 7 Habits secondary school program at his neighborhood school. He is a great champion for finding new ways to bridge the education gap and has developed programs that are complimentary to the 7 Habits.

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Much of our world is gripped with a sense of fear and insecurity—fear of losing jobs, homes, or our future. In such a state of insecurity and vulnerability, it is easy to see why people might resign to being in survival mode and looking out only for themselves, at home, at work or in the community. In this environment people tend to respond by being more and more independent. The mindset becomes: “I’m going to focus on ‘me and mine.’

Certainly, independence is vital; however, the problem is that we live in an interdependent reality. Our most important work, the problems we hope to solve or the opportunities we hope to realize require working and collaborating with other people in a high-trust, synergistic way—whether at home or at work. Having an interdependent mindset, skills and tools are vital, especially now as we work through challenges unlike anything most of us have ever seen in our life time.

The principles found in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are all about helping people learn how to understand and build interdependence. The more you really understand and practice the habits, the more you will build the core skills and character necessary to successfully respond to the many challenges that will inevitably come your way. As a result, you will be able to manage your fears and insecurities, and take charge of your life—which, in turn, can reduce your fears and insecurities.

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I am often asked if there is one habit out of the 7 Habits that is more important than the others. Of course, all the habits are important and they form an inter-connected whole or a continuum. For maximum effectiveness, you have to build from one to the other and apply them consistently. From that perspective, Habit 1: Be Proactive provides the foundation for all the other habits. Habit 1 is, undoubtedly, the foundation for leadership at home or at work because it begins with the mindset “I am responsible for me, and I can choose.”All the other habits are dependent upon being proactive and choosing to master and practicing principle-centered living.

The key to being proactive is remembering that between stimulus and response there is a space. That space represents our choice— how we will choose to respond to any given situation, person, thought or event. Imagine a pause button between stimulus and response—a button you can engage to pause and think about what is the principle-based response to your given situation. Listen to what your conscience tells you. Listen for what is wise and the principle-based thing to do, and then act.

Being proactive (Habit 1) becomes much more powerful when connected and related to the other habits. The key to the habits is the power of their combined synergy and meaningful purpose. Leaving one habit out is like having a four-legged chair—when you remove one leg the chair is out of balance.

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I just completed a speaking tour in Brazil, where I met and talked with many amazing, gracious people, who are profoundly committed to principle-centered living and service. One couple traveled over 15 hours with their baby to hear me speak. When they got there they were told that no babies were allowed in the hall. Not wanting to disappoint them, the organizers of the event offered to babysit their baby so they could attend the program. What a magnificent gesture and display of compassion and willingness to serve!

Another encounter also moved me and humbled me. I had the privilige of meeting with Dr. Ricardo Guimaraes who made great efforts to travel for the event. He is an eye doctor who years ago was in a bad airplane accident, where he risked his own life by pulling out passengers of the plane. As a result, Dr. Guimaraes suffered severe burns on his body with scars on many parts of his body that are still visible today. This experience caused him to have a total life change and he made the decision to be more service-oriented. He is now working with our FranklinCovey office in Brazil helping to develop The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens program to help the youth in Brazil. As I sat with Dr. Guimaraes, talking over lunch, I was so moved by his humility, courage, and willingness to serve.

When we are willing to serve others, we find our voice and our greatest selves. I encourage each of you to find your voice, especially during this holiday season of Thanksgiving in the U.S.. It is is in giving that we receive life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for all that you do in your families, workplaces, and community!

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