Primary Greatness

1. What is "Primary Greatness: The 12 Levers of Success" by Stephen R. Covey about?

• Core Focus: The book explores the concept of "primary greatness," which Covey defines as success rooted in character, integrity, and contribution, as opposed to "secondary greatness," which is based on external achievements like fame, wealth, or status.
• 12 Levers of Success: Covey presents twelve foundational principles—called "levers"—that lead to lasting, meaningful success in life and work.
• Inside-Out Approach: The book emphasizes that true greatness starts from within, focusing on personal character and aligning with universal principles.
• Practical Guidance: Through essays, stories, and actionable suggestions, Covey provides readers with tools to develop these levers and transform their lives.

2. Why should I read "Primary Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey?

• Timeless Principles: The book offers universal, time-tested principles that apply to personal, professional, and family life, making it relevant for anyone seeking lasting fulfillment.
• Beyond Surface Success: It helps readers distinguish between superficial success (secondary greatness) and deep, intrinsic success (primary greatness), guiding them toward a more meaningful life.
• Actionable Steps: Covey provides practical exercises, reflection questions, and real-world examples to help readers internalize and apply the 12 levers.
• Legacy of Wisdom: As a collection of Covey’s lesser-known essays, it offers fresh insights from the author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," expanding on his most influential ideas.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Primary Greatness: The 12 Levers of Success"?

• Character Over Image: True success is built on character, not just outward achievements or recognition.
• Principle-Centered Living: Aligning your life with unchanging, universal principles leads to lasting happiness and effectiveness.
• The 12 Levers: Integrity, contribution, priority, sacrifice, service, responsibility, loyalty, reciprocity, diversity, learning, renewal, and teaching are essential for primary greatness.
• Continuous Growth: Lifelong learning, self-renewal, and teaching others are crucial for sustained personal and professional development.

4. What is the difference between "primary greatness" and "secondary greatness" according to Stephen R. Covey?

• Primary Greatness: Refers to inner success—character, integrity, motives, and contribution; it is who you truly are.
• Secondary Greatness: Involves external markers—popularity, titles, wealth, and public recognition; it is how you are perceived.
• Sustainability: Primary greatness is lasting and brings peace, while secondary greatness is often fleeting and can be hollow without a strong inner foundation.
• Interrelationship: Secondary greatness may follow primary greatness, but not always; Covey argues that focusing on primary greatness is the surest path to a fulfilling life.

5. What are the 12 Levers of Success in "Primary Greatness" and what does each mean?

• Integrity: Being whole and undivided, aligning actions with principles, and being trustworthy.
• Contribution: Making a meaningful difference and leaving a positive legacy through service and value creation.
• Priority: Focusing on what matters most, putting first things first, and not letting trivialities distract from true goals.
• Sacrifice: Willingness to give up personal gain or comfort for the greater good, fostering synergy and strong relationships.
• Service: Genuinely caring for and helping others, recognizing the power of small acts and personal touch.
• Responsibility: Owning your choices and actions, especially when things go wrong, and refusing to play the victim.
• Loyalty: Being true to others, especially in their absence, and avoiding gossip or betrayal.
• Reciprocity: Building mutually beneficial relationships based on fairness, kindness, and the law of sowing and reaping.
• Diversity: Valuing differences in people and perspectives, which leads to creativity, synergy, and better solutions.
• Learning: Committing to lifelong growth, staying relevant, and continuously improving yourself and your skills.
• Renewal: Regularly rejuvenating your physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being to maintain effectiveness.
• Teaching: Deepening your own understanding and commitment by sharing and teaching these principles to others.

6. How does Stephen R. Covey define and recommend developing character in "Primary Greatness"?

• Character as Foundation: Covey asserts that character—what you do when no one is looking—is more important than competence.
• Balance of Courage and Consideration: Emotional maturity is achieved by balancing the courage to express convictions with consideration for others’ feelings.
• Continuous Development: Character is not fixed; it can be developed through self-awareness, humility, and aligning with principles.
• Practical Tools: Covey suggests using feedback (like 360-degree reviews), personal mission statements, and daily self-reflection to build character.

7. What practical methods does "Primary Greatness" offer for aligning your life with principles?

• Self-Examination: Regularly visit your "secret life" to examine motives, beliefs, and alignment with core principles.
• Mission Statements: Create a personal mission statement based on unchanging principles to guide decisions and actions.
• Journaling and Reflection: Keep a journal to track progress, clarify priorities, and reflect on character and motives.
• Making and Keeping Promises: Build integrity and self-trust by making and keeping small promises to yourself and others.

8. How does "Primary Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey address the challenge of setting and keeping true priorities?

• Compass Over Clock: Covey urges readers to use a "compass" (principles and conscience) rather than a "clock" (schedules and urgency) to guide decisions.
• First Things First: Identify and focus on your unique, high-impact roles and responsibilities, not just urgent tasks.
• Weekly Planning: Plan your week before your day to maintain perspective and ensure important but non-urgent activities are prioritized.
• Saying No: Develop the courage to say no to lesser priorities by having a "burning yes" for what matters most.

9. What role does service play in achieving primary greatness according to Stephen R. Covey?

• Personal Touch Matters: Service is about genuinely caring for individuals, not just fulfilling tasks or roles.
• Chain Reaction: The way employees are treated affects how they treat customers, creating a culture of service.
• Empowerment Through Service: Serving others empowers both the giver and receiver, fostering trust and loyalty.
• Cultivating Service: Service can be hired, trained, or most powerfully, cultivated as a cultural norm within organizations and families.

10. How does "Primary Greatness" recommend handling adversity, mistakes, and broken relationships?

• Responsibility Over Blame: Take full responsibility for your part in any problem, even if others are also at fault.
• Paying the Uttermost Farthing: Sincerely apologize and make amends without expecting reciprocation, to restore trust and heal relationships.
• Avoiding Victim Mentality: Refuse to see yourself as a victim; instead, focus on what you can control and change.
• Continuous Improvement: Use setbacks as opportunities for self-examination, growth, and recommitment to principles.

11. What is the importance of renewal, learning, and teaching in sustaining primary greatness, according to Covey?

• Sharpen the Saw: Regular renewal in physical, mental, social, and spiritual areas is essential to avoid burnout and maintain effectiveness.
• Lifelong Learning: Commit to continuous personal and professional development to stay relevant and adaptable.
• Teaching to Learn: Teaching others what you learn deepens your own understanding and commitment, and helps build a culture of growth.
• Daily and Weekly Habits: Make renewal, learning, and teaching regular practices, not occasional events.

12. What are the best quotes from "Primary Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey and what do they mean?

• "Primary greatness is who you really are—your character, your integrity, your deepest motives and desires." This highlights the book’s central message: true success is internal, not external.
• "The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." Covey emphasizes the importance of intentional living and focusing on what matters most.
• "If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy. If you want the secondary greatness of recognized talent, focus first on primary greatness of character." This quote underscores the idea that external success follows internal integrity.
• "The best way to learn something is to teach it." Covey advocates for teaching as a method to internalize and live by the principles of primary greatness.
• "Live life in crescendo. The most important work you will ever do is always ahead of you." This encourages readers to keep growing, contributing, and striving for greater impact, regardless of age or past achievements.