“Stephen R. Covey (1932-2012) – A Leadership Legend” - Professor M.S.Rao

"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” - Benjamin Franklin

It is very sad to hear the passing away of Stephen R. Covey, the educator, author, consultant, and a leadership legend.  His death is shock to me, and I could not digest the news of his death. I read some of his famous books including ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’.  He is one of the rarest leadership legends who contributed immensely to the area of leadership development.  Here are some of his achievements:

• Earned his B.S. degree in business administration from the University of Utah.
• Earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
• Earned his PhD from Brigham Young University.
• Earned ten honorary doctorates.
• Received the Fatherhood Award from the National Fatherhood Initiative.

He wrote a number of books but it is the groundbreaking, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that drew global attention and brought him fame. It sold more than 25 million books in 38 languages globally. The book spent five years on the New York Times bestseller list and began a number of sequels, including his 2004 title, “The 8^th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness.”  He also authored, “The 3^rd Alternative” which was published in 2011. He pioneered “Principle-Centered Leadership” along with Ken Shelton, the editor of Leadership Excellence.  He was recognized in 1996 as one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, and was named among the world’s top 50 business thinkers in 2011 by Thinkers50, a group that compiles that list every other year.

I express my condolences on his death.  He is physically no more but his principles are timeless, and continue to inspire future generations.

“Life is a mission and not a career, and the purpose of all our education and knowledge is so that we can better represent Him and serve that mission of life in His name and toward His purposes.” – Stephen L. Richard, grandfather of Stephen R. Covey.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

Copyright©2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“Teachers are not Teasers but Brain-Teasers” - Professor M.S.Rao

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” - Plutarch

Students sometimes feel that teachers are teasing them in the classroom by bombarding them with too many questions. They are often scared of maintaining eye contact with teachers in the classroom. In fact, teachers not only share their knowledge but also enhance the thinking levels of the students. In order to enhance students’ critical thinking levels, teachers adopt various tools and techniques, and of which questioning is one of them.  Teachers question the students with both open ended and close ended questions to grab their attention, and to ensure effective teaching takeaways among the students. Hence, teachers are not teasers but are brain teasers.  Depending on their experience, mindset, classroom ambience, and the profile of the students they probe students with several questions in the classroom.  Hence, be comfortable with their questioning, view them positively, and participate effectively in the classroom to acquire and apply knowledge in your real life.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

Copyright©2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“It is a Privilege to be Born as a Woman” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Life on the planet is born of woman.” - Adrienne Riche

Is it a privilege to be born as a woman?  Women have different perceptions about it. I came across a woman recently who discussed various aspects of organizational challenges and said during the course of conversation that it is a curse to be born as a woman. I said, “No”.  Woman has many strengths to her credit.  In fact, it is a privilege to be born as a woman. She asked me, “How?” I said as follows:

It is only the woman who can conceive and enjoy the feeling of a mother which the man is deprived of.  It is only the woman who can carry forward human civilization.  It is only the woman who can encounter several challenges with patience and come out with flying colors.  It is only the woman who can multitask.  It is only the woman who can understand human feelings, emotions, and egos better than men. It is only the woman who can forgive others with a big heart. Above all, behind the success of ever man there is a woman. Harriet Beecher Stowe rightly said, “Women are the real architects of society.” Therefore, I salute to women for all these strengths and applaud their silent contribution to society.  

“A woman can say more in a sigh than a man can say in a sermon.” - Arnold Haultain

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

Copyright©2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“Love Your Mother and Love Your Motherland” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” -  John F. Kennedy

A few people from developing countries blame their countries for being poor. We cannot choose the place of birth and death as it is all destiny. If you feel that you were born in a poor country you must contribute your best to ensure its progress. People often migrate to developed countries and forget to contribute to their countries in which they were born. There is nothing wrong to migrate to developed countries. But what is wrong is not giving anything back to your motherland.

Can you blame your mother who is poor? You cannot blame right!  Similarly, you should not blame your country for being poor.  If your country is poor work hard to make it prosperous rather than blaming it. If you migrate to other countries for better pastures give something back to your country, and add value to it.

As you take care of your parents you must take care of your country irrespective of the place where you are located. Remember to love your mother and love your motherland.  

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

Copyright©2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.