1. Software Usability and Design
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen R. Covey 1989, Simon Schuster, New York, NY ISBN
Jeff Offutt
SWE 205
Software Usability and Design
A note to other teachers who might borrow these slides: This lecture can be a wonderful message to give to college students near the end of a semester. But read the book first. If you haven’t read the book, you won’t be able to explain these ideas effectively.

2. The Book Sold over 15 million copies in 38 languages
Thousands of people claim this book has changed their lives / careers
The advice applies to all facets of life : careers, school, families, friendship, …
Most of us are naturally (or already) good at some of these
But most of us have problems with others
(My main problem is Habit 3 … I will always struggle)
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

3. Contrasts with Scarcity Mentality
Abundance Mentality
A belief that there are enough resources and success to share with others
This is common among optimistic people
Common in people with high self worth and security
Leads to sharing profits, recognition and responsibility
Contrasts with Scarcity Mentality
Given a finite amount of resources, a person must hoard belongings and protect them from others
Pessimistic people, low self worth, insecurity
Selfish, anti-social behavior
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

4. Which Direction? Outside In Inside Out
If we act like we are successful, then we will become successful
Or good, or nice, or moral, or …
Inside Out
If we are successful, then we will start to act like we are
Or good, or nice, or moral, or …
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

5. Moving from Dependence to Independence
The 7 Habits
Moving from Dependence to Independence
Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Interdependence
Think Win / Win
Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
Synergize
Self-Rejuvenation
Sharpen the Saw
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

6. 1. Be Proactive Choose Stimulus Response reactive Self-Awareness
Independent Will
Imagination
Conscience
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

7. 1. Proactive Language Lessons
Reactive
Proactive
There’s nothing I can do.
That’s just the way I am.
Let’s look at our choices.
I can choose a different approach.
He makes me so mad.
They won’t allow that.
I control my own feelings.
I can create an effective presentation.
I can’t …
I must …
If only …
I will choose an appropriate response.
I choose …
I prefer …
I will …
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

8. 1. Bring Proactive Don’t mind criticism ...
If it is untrue, disregard it
If it is unfair, don’t let it irritate you
If it is ignorant, smile
If it is justified, learn from it
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

9. 2. Begin with the End in Mind
Many people drift through life, reacting to what comes
Setting goals allows us to proactively choose the directions we take
Many disagreements are about issues that are not related to our goals
And we often share the same goal !
At least half of our faculty meetings are spent on things that do not contribute to our goals
Pure excise
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

10. 2. What is the End ? The end of your life ? Your self ? But in the end
you pack your bags,
head down south,
hide your head in the sand.
Just another
sad old man,
all alone
and can’t stand the sight of himself.
— Pink Floyd, Animals, Dogs
Your self ?
People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something that one finds. It is something one creates.
— Thomas Szasz, “The Second Sin”
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

11. 2. What is the End ? What is your goal for this hour ?
What is your goal today ?
What is your goal this semester ?
What is your goal for finishing college ?
What is your goal for after college ?
Everybody should always have at least 2 plans :
Where do you want to be in 5 years ?
In 10 years ?
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

12. 2. Personal Mission Statement
S e c u r i t y
Guidance
Wisdom
Who are you?
What do you want?
P o w e r
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

13. 3. Put First Things First Not Urgent Urgent Important Not Important 12
deadlines
reading texts
Important
building relationships
caring for family
prevention
Get here!
crises
homework
exams
planning
teaching children 3 4
interruptions
trivia
computer games
Not Important
unproductive activities
phone
social media
most
meetings
things that do not help realize a goal
text messages
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

14. Thinking Time Do you have an abundant or scarcity mentality?
Are you proactive ?
Are you goal-directed ?
Do you do a good job prioritizing your
activities ?
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

15. Moving from Dependence to Independence
The 7 Habits
Moving from Dependence to Independence
Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Interdependence
Think Win / Win
Seek First to Understand, then be Understood
Synergize
Self-Rejuvenation
Sharpen the Saw
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

16. Paradigms of Interdependence
The Emotional Bank Account
When we meet a new person, we establish a neutral “emotional” bank account … and our interactions include withdrawals and deposits … largely based on trust
Understand the other person
Attend to the little things
Keep commitments
Clarify expectations
Show personal integrity
Respect the laws of love and the laws of life
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

17. 4. Think Win / Win High Consideration Low Low High Courage Lose Win
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

18. 4. Reaching Win / Win Three essential character traits :
Integrity : Sticking with your true feelings, values and commitments
Maturity : Expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for others
Abundance Mentality : Believing there is plenty for everyone
Many people think in zero-sum terms : Either you’re nice or strong
To win/win, you must be both — balanced
You must also be confident and empathetic
Considerate and brave
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

19. 5. Understand. Then be Understood.
Do more than hear – listen
Do more than listen – understand
Do more than think – ponder
Do more than talk – say something
Instead of thinking of your next words, listen !
The following is not listening:
Judging then agreeing or disagreeing … Evaluating
Asking questions from your perspective … Probing
Giving counsel, advice and solutions … Advising
Analyzing others’ motives … Interpreting
Once you understand … then you have the information you need to be understood
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

20. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts
6. Synergize
The whole is greater than the sum of the parts
High
Synergistic (Win / Win)
Trust
Respectful (compromise)
Defensive (Win/Lose or Lose/Win)
Low
Low
Cooperation
High
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

21. Moving from Dependence to Independence
The 7 Habits
Moving from Dependence to Independence
Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Interdependence
Think Win / Win
Seek First to Understand, then be Understood
Synergize
Self-Rejuvenation
Sharpen the Saw
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

22. Balance 7. Sharpen the Saw Physical Mental Social Spiritual exercise
Healthy people are more effective
Physical
exercise
eat well
sleep
Mental
re ad
pl an
wr ite
Social
make friends
help others
be a good citizen
Balance
Spiritual
clarify values
be alone
think deep thoughts
TV is candy for the mind.
Reading is exercise.
This is important / not urgent
This is proactive !
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

23. Of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits
Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Think Win / Win
Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
Synergize
Sharpen the Saw
Of Highly Effective People
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt

24. Hwk 10 Turn in Covey’s seven habits in three lists
Habits I’m already good at
Habits I’m getting better at
Habits I’m really bad at
Submit written on one sheet of paper
This is personal; we won’t share these with the class
The purpose is for you to think about these ideas
And to help you plan for your future
17-Sep-18
© Jeff Offutt