This book, first published in 1989, outlines seven habits that are designed to help individuals become more effective in their personal and professional lives. The habits are grouped into three categories: Private Victory (habits 1-3), Public Victory (habits 4-6), and Renewal (habit 7). The habits include being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand and then to be understood, synergizing, and sharpening the saw. Covey emphasizes the importance of personal integrity, effective time management, empathetic communication, and continuous self-improvement[2][5][4].
In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses[2][4][5].
In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Does effectively leading a company have anything in common with leading your own personal development? Of course, but what parts? This is why I brought in Doug McKinley, whose career has allowed him to bridge an individual psychological practice with coaching execs and organization heads.
We cover adversity and bouncing back from it, the similarities between self-leadership and leadership within an organization, the ways men find success (or hardship) in both, some of the conflicts between what society tells about leadership and what actual effective leading looks like, and how it all. comes. back. to. discipline.
Doug McKinley spent the first 15 years of his vocational life serving as a clinical psychologist and founded his own group practice in the early 90s. He was honored to be able to assist clients in the relief of unnecessary suffering and finding a healing path forward. While this was fulfilling in its own right, Doug knew that he wanted to do more; the collective insights of 30 years of investing in people have led him to the conclusion that clarity and culture are not simply “nice to have.”
After meeting Pat Williams, renowned leadership coach and author, at a conference on marriage counseling, Doug transitioned from clinical psychology into serving clients as an executive leadership development coach and consultant. Part of this transition included moving on from his clinical practice and founding an executive coaching firm. In 2012, Doug created a successful consulting company with a business partner that they would run together until selling it in late 2017.
McKinley currency runs DLM Pathways, an organization dedicated to guiding leaders increase their self-awareness, discover their purpose, and develop their competencies. Doug holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the Adler Professional School of Psychology and a Master's Degree in counseling from Wright State University. He has earned the Master Certified Coach designation from the International Coach Federation and is a practicing member of ICF. Doug is the author of The Resiliency Quest: A Journey of Personal Leadership Development for the Thriving Physician, and the co-author of Go Positive: Lead to Engage. He’s also authored several training program manuals that focus on leadership development.
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