Self Help Books Covey and Blanton
Uploaded by tamii on Oct 26, 2011
Abstract: This paper compares the approaches to communication taken by two self help authors, Stephen R. Covey and Brad Blanton. (10 pages; 1 page outline; 5 sources; MLA citation style.
Self Help Books
Outline
I Introduction
General introduction
Methodology of Book Selection
Description of Paper
II Authors and Their Credentials
Stephen R. Covey
University lecturer
Covey Leadership Center
Brad Blanton
Activist
Psychologist
Counselor
III Principles of Communication
Stephen R. Covey
Personality Ethic
Character Ethic
Empathic Listening
Autobiographical Responses
Empathic Listening Methods
(Mimic, Rephrase, Repeat Feeling, Rephrase and Reflect)
Brad Blanton
Anger
Confrontational Methods
(Confront person with issue, unrestrained expression of anger, pay attention to physicality, appreciate other’s good points, stay with the feeling, let go)
IV Value of the Books
V Critical Reception
VI Conclusion
VII References
Self-Help Books
I Introduction
Self-help books are a major industry in the United States. Sometimes considered genuinely helpful, sometimes considered an obvious joke, they are an important part of the book trade. This paper will consider two self-help books in general and what they say about effective communications between individuals in particular.
The methodology I used to find the books was simple: I did a search for “effective communication between individuals” in the public library’s on-line database. There were only three hits, but one was instantly recognizable: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. This book has been selling consistently for years, so it seemed a good choice. When I went to get it, I simply scanned the books near it, and found another self-help book that deals with communication: Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton, Ph.D.
Additionally, there is a request to “relate communications principles and theories covered in the course to those … [in the books].” As I have no idea what the coursework has covered, I cannot address this point.
We’ll take a look at the authors’ credentials; the principles they advocate (this is the largest section); the value of the books; and their reception.
II Authors and Their Credentials
Stephen R. Covey is a Mormon, born and raised in Utah. He has an MBA from Harvard and a doctorate from Brigham Young University; at Brigham Young he was “a professor of organization behavior and business management and … administrative assistant to the president and director of university relations.” (“Stephen R. Covey,” PG). The lectures on character building that he gave during his tenure at BYU were so popular that he began to lecture publicly, and in 1985 he founded the Covey Leadership Center to present his theories to managers, entrepreneurs and others. He has received numerous...