It was in this work that Smith first referred to the “invisible hand” to describe the apparent benefits to society of people behaving in their own interests. His aim in the work is to explain the source of mankind’s ability to form moral judgements, in spite of man’s natural inclinations toward self-interest. Smith proposes a theory of sympathy in which the act of observing others makes people aware of themselves and the morality of their own behavior.

In part because Theory of Moral Sentiments emphasizes sympathy for others while Wealth of Nations famously emphasizes the role of self interest, some scholars have perceived a conflict between these works. As one economic historian observed: “Many writers, including the present author at an early stage of his study of Smith, have found these two works in some measure basically inconsistent.” But in recent years most scholars of Adam Smith’s work have argued that no contradiction exists. In Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith develops a theory of psychology in which individuals seek the approval of the “impartial spectator” as a result of a natural desire to have outside observers sympathize with them. The Wealth of Nations draws on situations where man’s morality is likely to play a smaller role—such as the laborer involved in pin-making—whereas the Theory of Moral Sentiments focuses on situations where man’s morality is likely to play a dominant role among more personal exchanges.

Adam Smith

ADAM SMITH

Brief life history

Smith was one of those 18th century Scottish moral philosophers whose impulses led to our modern day theories; his work marks the breakthrough of an evolutionary approach which has progressively displaced the stationary Aristotelian view. Adam Smith was to become the first political economist the world had ever known.

Adam’s father, who had died before Adam’s birth, was a “comptroller of customs. In 1751, at age twenty-eight, Adam Smith became a professor of Logic at Glasgow. Smith led a quiet and sheltered life; he lived with his mother (she lived to be ninety) and remained a bachelor all his life. His students loved him, and people came from far to take him in (Boswell was one). For ten years, after returning from France, Smith “stayed quietly with his mother at his native town of Kirkcaldy … He lived on the annuity from the Duke of Buccleugh, and occupied himself in study only. Having been appointed, in 1778, as commissioner of customs for Edinburgh, Smith moved back to Scotland. On July 17th, 1790, Adam Smith died at Edinburgh; he was buried in the Canon gate churchyard.

Works

Adam Smith published a large body of works throughout his life, some of which have shaped the field of economics. Smith’s first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments was written in 1759. It provided the ethical, philosophical, psychological, and methodological underpinnings to Smith’s later works, including An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776), A Treatise on Public Opulence (1764) (first published in 1937), Essays on Philosophical Subjects (1795), Lectures on Justice, Police, Revenue, and Arms (1763) (first published in 1896), and Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres.

Dominant traits owing to Mr. Smith’s success

• There was no situation in which the abilities of Mr Smith appeared to greater advantage than as a Professor.

• Even the small peculiarities in his pronunciation or manner of speaking, became frequently the objects of imitation.

• Mr. Smith enjoyed the rare satisfaction of being able to repay his mother affection, by every attention that filial gratitude could dictate, during the long period of sixty years.

• Mr. Smith attracted notice, by his passion for books, and by the extraordinary powers of his memory.

• His favorite pursuits while at that university were mathematics and natural philosophy

• The lectures of the profound and eloquent Dr Hutcheson, which he had attended previous to his departure from Glasgow, and of which he always spoke in terms of the warmest admiration, had, it may be reasonably presumed, a considerable effect in directing his talents to their proper objects.

• There was no situation in which the abilities of Mr Smith appeared to greater advantage than as a Professor.

• Even the small peculiarities in his pronunciation or manner of speaking, became frequently the objects of imitation.

• Mr. Smith enjoyed the rare satisfaction of being able to repay his mother affection, by every attention that filial gratitude could dictate, during the long period of sixty years.

• Mr. Smith attracted notice, by his passion for books, and by the extraordinary powers of his memory.

• His favorite pursuits while at that university were mathematics and natural philosophy

• The lectures of the profound and eloquent Dr Hutcheson, which he had attended previous to his departure from Glasgow, and of which he always spoke in terms of the warmest admiration, had, it may be reasonably presumed, a considerable effect in directing his talents to their proper objects.

Need that motivated Mr. Smith towards success

Adam Smith had a very precise approach towards life and people around him. During the time of his era, people were on the verge of a complete collapse with regards to the economical changes being brought up all around the world. It was at this time when Smith realised the need of a completely new economic and judicial structure if there was the slightest urge towards success among the people of his time. This need also brought him to the point of thinking that it was not only the economy which was deficient in its structure but also the inspiration and motivation among people needed strengthening.Once this was realized by him, he turned all the purposes of his life towards the betterment of the economy and ultimately the society. It was at this point that Smith was made to publish his two very famous works: ‘The theory of moral sentiments’ & ‘The wealth of nations’. His works proved very fruitful not only in moulding the moral and ethical sentiments of the people but he also gave theories regarding the economic sturcture which are running successfully even today. His greatest works were not only confined to the people of his time but very preserved and passed on generations after generations and for all times to come.

With his pioneering work in Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen R. Covey is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on empowerment. Thousands of organizations worldwide–including two thirds of the Fortune 500–have adopted his innovative techniques on quality, leadership, innovation, trust, teamwork, customer-focused service and organizational alignment.

Covey has a Harvard MBA and has spent most of his career at Brigham Young University, where he was professor of organizational behavior and business management. In addition to his MBA, he also has a doctorate which he completed whilst at Brigham Young University. Dr. Stephen R Covey has received the Thomas More College Medallion for continuing service to humanity and has additionally been awarded four honorary doctorate degrees.

Stephen is also a co-founder of the Franklin-Covey organization, which specializes in the application of Covey’s principle-centered approach to leadership and management. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject of time-management. Thousands of organizations across the world, including many of the Fortune 500 companies, have adopted his innovative techniques on leadership, teamwork, and customer-focused service. His best-selling book on time-management, First Things First, co-authored with A. Roger & Rebecca R. Merrill, according to Simon & Schuster is the best-selling time management book ever.

The seven principles he presents in the 7 Habits are not original thoughts – he does not claim to have originated the ideas but simply to have found a framework and a language for articulating the time-less principles embedded into the seven habits. The 7 habits are to be found, he says, in all the major world religions. He believes the principles themselves to be ‘self-evident’, that is, ‘you cannot really argue against them’. His view is that all highly effective people, and enduringly effective organizations, have utilized the 7 habits, to a greater or lesser extent, to sustain their success.

Covey says that the 7 habits are ‘common knowledge’ but, he adds, are not necessarily ‘common practice’. In fact, it could be argued that the habits actually run counter to basic human nature. By our nature, we are reactive creatures and we are inclined to act mainly out of self-interest. But we are also as human beings capable of much higher thoughts and actions and by working hard to internalize the 7 habits we are able to develop a proactive attitude. By so doing, we can take charge of our own destinies and we are capable of exerting influence on other people for the collective good.

What are the dominant traits of personality, which made the person so successful?

•  He was a person who was a great motivator to the people. He tried to awake greatness in the mind of the people.
• He was one of those persons who would never quit and that inspired other people to follow his personality. And he himself followed those principles. 
• He was a religious person who served a two year mission in England and he would love to preach whenever he was given an opportunity.
•  He was dedicated towards his work.
• He had good leadership qualities from the beginning of his career and he was a born  leader.
• He was family expert and had effective communications abilities that are why he became a good organizational consultant.
• He loved to serve for the humanity and he tried to develop changes within the person himself.
• Stephen R. Covey wrote the so many books but the main trait of his personality in which he prove their thoughts into a reality; title the best selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
• Stephan R conveys differentiate between protective people those who focus their efforts on things which they can do some thing about.
• Covey breaks down the word responsibility into ability and to choose a response.
• Covey maintains the need for a Principle Centered basis to all aspects of life.
• Covey’s give views on time management it is not a case of Managing time, but of managing oneself, focusing on results rather than on methods in prioritizing within each compartment of work and life.
• Covey served a two-year mission in England, and he also served as the first president of the Irish Mission of the Church starting in July 1962.
• Covey’s best-known book, has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide since its first publication in 1989.

Which need motivated the person toward success?

 Stephen Covey had a holistic approach to life and work that has struck a significant chord with the perplexed manager working in turbulent times. When he realized that people in the present times have no purpose that they want to achieve then he tried to awaken the awareness of those ambitions that was totally forgotten. And that’s why he thought that people need some kind of motivation and inspiration. He was concerned with the present situation of the people in the world and that is why he dedicated his life for the betterment of the human thinking. His seven habits were quite successful in achieving its purpose. These habits helped in building confidence and self belief in the people.

He thought human mind was going in negative path and he suggested them not to be afraid from challenges but consider them as a chance to sine in front of all. And this need of his was eventually turned into reality.

List of works:

•  Spiritual roots of Human relations, Published in 1970.
• The Divine Center Published in 1982.
• The Seven habits of Highly Effective People, published in 1989.
• Principle Centered Leadership, Published in 1992.
• First things First, Co-authored with Roger and Rebecca Merrill, Published in 1994.
• Living the seven habits, Published in 2000.
• 6 Events: The Restoration model of solving life’s Problems, Published in 2004.
• The 8^th Habit: From effectiveness to Greatness, Published in 2004.
• Quest: The spiritual path to Success by Stephen R. Covey (Editor) (1997), with Thomas Morey, Mark Victor Hansen, David Whyte, Bemie Siegel & Schuster Audio Book.
• The Leader in Me: How schools and parents around the world Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child At a Time, Published in 2008.

Summary:

Stephen R covey is a role model for youth because he makes them realize that they should look inside them and bring out the best they can offer. He advised them they should aim higher and always strive to win. Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey has dedicated his life to demonstrating how every person can truly control their destiny with profound, yet straightforward guidance. As an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, his advice has given insight to millions.

Contributing Sources for this page:

www.whitedovebooks.com.uk

www.stephencovey.com

www.opdc.go.th/oldweb/thai/developleader

Web links to other sources about the thinker:

www.thefreelibrary.com  

www.librarything.com/author/coveystehenr  

www.quickmba.com/mgmt/7hab/

Contributed by Syed Asad Bokhari And Talha Muhammad Ali

thanks