Page 67 - Performance Leadership

56 • Part I A Review of Performance Management

In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey writes as follows:

In an organization, the physical dimension is expressed in economic
terms. The mental or psychological dimension deals with the recog-
nition, development, and use of talent. The social/emotional dimen-
sion has to do with human relations, with how people are treated.
And the spiritual dimension deals with finding meaning through pur-
pose or contribution and through organizational integrity. When an
organization neglects any one or more of these areas, it negatively
impacts the entire organization. The creative energies that could
result in tremendous positive synergy are instead used to fight against
the organization and become restraining forces to growth and
productivity.

In his later book, The 8th Habit, Covey expands his lessons to orga-
4
nizational development. He describes the four needs of an organiza-
tion as follows:

1. Survival—financial health (body)

2. Growth and development—economic growth, customer growth,
innovation of new products and services, increasing professional
and institutional competency (mind)

3. Relationships—strong synergy, strong external networks and part-
nering, teamwork, trust, caring, valuing differences (heart)
4. Meaning, integrity, and contribution—serving and lifting all
stakeholders: customers, suppliers, employees and their fami-
lies, communities, society—making a difference in the world
(spirit)

According to Covey, organizations whose only driving force is eco-
nomic, show negative behaviors, such as interdepartmental rivalries
and protective communication. He also warns against the opposite:
organizations that almost exclusively focus on the social or emotional
dimension. This is not good either; profit and good management prac-
tices are needed for a sustainable business model.