Lessons in personal change; how a book helped me to be an effective leader

In the aftermath of the December 2004 Asian tsunami, as the newly elected Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, I had to face many challenges. A self-help book, titled “The 7-Habits of Highly Effective People” authored by Dr. Stephen R Covey, had a profound positive effect on my life, empowered me and helped to overcome these challenges. The unique feature of this book is that it advises on character building rather than achieving success as in most self-help books. The 7-habits that are recommended by Dr. Covey are: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, and then to be understood; synergize; sharpen the saw. Each habit is discussed, followed by an example of project/activities for which I gave initiative and leadership.