The Free Mind

In my lunch break, I was scanning the new arrivals of our library. I came across “The Free Mind” by Edward De Bono. I heard a lot about him though my friends and my colleagues. So I thought of reading this new book. It only took 2 days of 25 mins to read 100 pages.

Edward De Bono has detailed a range of ‘purposeful thinking methods’. Or we can say ‘purposeful lateral thinking methods’. He also believes in freedom in thinking. The question he possesses is that, “If you cannot think clearly, are you making a free choice?” That question is at the heart of his new title – ‘The Free Mind’. Let it be free from coercion De Bono argues that there is no true freedom without the ability to see correctly the options we have. And not only options we have but also explore the options we don’t know. This requires thinking. The best short introduction to his work, The Free Mind uses anecdote to convey his methods and provides numerous examples that illustrate his thesis: to be free means to understand the choices we make, and this understanding can only come through improving the way we think.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

After First Things First, this is my second book from Stephen R. Covey. This books focuses on principles or habits rather than behavior. Each chapter elaborates each habits.

Private – Centric (State of changing from dependence to independence)

1. Be Proactive – It means we are responsible for our own lives and he says our behavior is a function of our decisions. And also talks about taking the initiative, stimulus and response, circle of influence w.r.t circle of concern.
2. Begin with the End in mind - It applies to many different circumstances of life. This says we have to begin today with the picture of the end of our life as our frame of reference. And also talks about Leadership and Management
3. Put First Things First – The same time management matrix, which he said in his book ‘First Things First’.

Public – Centric (State of changing from independence to interdependence)

4. Think Win/Win – It is the habit of effective Interpersonal leadership. He discuss the 6 paradigms of interaction such as Win/Lose, Lose/Win, Lose/Lose, Win, and Win/Win or No Deal.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – This is the habit of effective Interpersonal communication. And explains about the importance of communication.
6. Synergize – It catalyzes, unifies and unleashes the greatest powers within people. In simple, it means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It shows teamwork is greater than the sum of individuals.

Renewal

7. Sharpen the Saw - focuses on balanced self-satisfaction

I’m looking for his book ‘The 8th Habit: Effectiveness to Greatness’.