Takeaway: Every individual goes through three phases of development, to reach personal effectiveness. Everyone develops at their own pace in the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey describes step by step how to achieve first independence and then interdependence.

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Dependence

The act of relying on others.

All individuals must be dependent upon their mother and or father during childhood, along with other adult figures like teachers and grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Some people spend their whole life relying on others for their lively hood.

Independence

Taking care of ourselves, life’s private victories.

Reaching independence is a private victory, traits that are not outwardly celebrated but appreciated and provide a foundation for interpersonal relationships.

Steven Covey’s Independence ≠ Just Paying Your Own Bills

Some people are thrust into adulthood too early. The requirement to pay bills doesn’t necessarily equate to independence.

• Be Proactive
• Begin With the End in Mind
• Put First Things First

Interdependence

Combining strengths to multiply our individual effectiveness, life’s public victories.

A prerequisite to interdependence is hands down the mastery of independence. It makes individuals more open to interpersonal development.

• Think Win-Win
• Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood
• Synergize

This articles is part of a series on the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I highly suggest listening to or reading the book! Alternatively you can just keep reading these articles!