Schools

Covey Consultant Hosts Lecture at Sachem

District hopes to spread leadership values at all schools.

In the mid 1990s, Sachem Superintendent James Nolan was introduced to Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

During the summer, Gary McGuey, a consultant from Franklin Covey, an innovator in leadership strategy, spoke to 1,200 Sachem teachers. This week, McGuey conducted a more intimate session with building representatives in Sachem, who will help spread leadership messages to teachers and eventually students and parents.

"It immediately had an impact on my professional and personal life," Nolan said of Covey's message. "Much of what they tell you is common sense, but Covey put it in writing. I don't know if there is a more important element for our students, aside from content areas, than being exposed to leadership skills."

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nolan also said on the global scene, there is a void of quality principle centered leadership.

"To instill the tenants of principle based leadership so there are decisions made based on values, morals and ethics, I think that's an incredible thing to share with young people," he said.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Covey's famous piece of intellectual philosophy goes, "seek first to understand, then to be understood."

"Kids need a process to reconnect with principles of effectiveness," said McGuey, who has been working with Covey for 13 years in its education sector. "It's not a program, it's a process. Schools have been working for this around the world. It's reconnecting to our mission and living according to that."

McGuey, also the author of "The Inspirational Teacher," speaks around the country about leadership development.

"Our goal here is to train out staff members, who in turn, will train our students," Nolan said.

According to Covey, his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are:

-Habit 1: Be Proactive

-Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

-Habit 3: Put First Things First

-Habit 4: Think Win-Win or No Deal

-Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood

-Habit 6: Synergize

-Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here