7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

Sean Covey made a big splash in the world of self-help writing with his best-selling 1989 book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Often placed on a pedestal next to other classics like Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, Covey’s 7 Habits… created a recipe for personal and professional success that has transformed the lives of those who have read and followed its sage, yet practical advice.

The concepts are simple ones, yet can take on powerful meaning with the right perspective.

The Teenage Take

Covey has followed up on the success of 7 Habits… with a variety of other books built around numbered lists of habits, decisions, and reflections. One of the best of these follow-ups is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.

The teen version of Covey’s 1989 classic works through the same positive habits as the original, but with a focus on uniquely teenage issues. This fresh context brings the content of the original 7 Habits… to light in ways that teens themselves report as both relevant and powerful.

Dealing with Challenging Content

As a parent or educator, be advised that the book contains some frank discussions about some heavy topics (including depression, sexual abuse, and drugs). That being said, being a teenager today means grappling with a litany of heavy issues including things such as cyberbullying and sexting that weren’t even part of adolescence as recently as two decades ago.

No parent wants their teen to experience these hardships, but the reality is that they are out there. Equipping your teen with the skills and confidence to face these challenges is a better choice than trying to shelter them in the hope that ignorance alone will be protection enough.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is a solid way to open a dialogue about what teenage life today is really like while, at the same time, helping to prepare your teen to face life’s challenges head-on in the most positive and effective ways possible.

The Verdict

Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is a powerful tool to help steer impactful conversations with your teen. Character building is vital at any age, but consider the benefits of equipping your teen with skills like:

• a pro-active self-improvement mindset
• rational decision making
• effective time management
• productive negotiation techniques
• purposeful goal setting
• sincere empathy
• meaningful collaboration techniques

If even one of these areas seems like an area your teen could stand to improve, reading through a copy of Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens together is a worthwhile investment.

Have you read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens? How has that experience shaped conversations and understandings about facing the challenges of adolescence and beyond? Share your thoughts with our readers in the comments below and on social media!