Required Reading Assignment For Mitch Leyor Congregants & Brand Ambassadors: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Required Reading & Leadership Reflection
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
For Mitch Leyor Congregants & Brand Ambassadors
Required Reading:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Purpose:
As congregants and brand ambassadors, we are called to lead with intention, integrity, discipline, and influence. This reading is an opportunity to examine how our personal habits shape our leadership, our relationships, our service, and the way we represent the community.
The goal is not simply to read the book, but to reflect, apply, and share what you learn.
Part I — 1,500-Word Leadership Essay
Essay Prompt
After reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, write a 1,500-word reflective essay explaining how Covey’s principles can strengthen you as a leader, congregant, and brand ambassador.
Your essay should move beyond simply summarizing the seven habits. Instead, demonstrate personal reflection, practical application, and leadership insight.
Consider the following questions:
Which of the seven habits challenges you the most, and why?
Which habit are you already practicing effectively?
How do your daily choices and habits influence the people around you?
How can these principles improve the way you communicate, serve, collaborate, and lead?
What is one specific habit you need to develop or change?
How can you represent the values of the community more effectively through your actions?
What will you do differently after completing this reading?
Required Word Count
1,500 words
A variation of approximately ±10% is acceptable, but the goal is to demonstrate sufficient depth and reflection.
Essay Structure & Section Breakdown
1. Introduction — 150–200 words
Introduce The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and explain why personal effectiveness and character matter for someone serving as a congregant and/or brand ambassador.
End your introduction with a clear thesis statement describing the central lesson you took from the book.
2. Understanding the Seven Habits — 250–300 words
Briefly discuss the seven habits and identify the principles that stood out to you most.
Do not simply list the habits. Explain what they mean to you and how they connect to effective leadership.
3. Personal Reflection — 300–350 words
Identify the habit that most challenged, encouraged, or convicted you.
Discuss:
Why it stood out
How it relates to your current life
A strength or weakness it revealed
How your habits affect your relationships and leadership
Be honest and specific.
4. Leadership & Community Application — 300–350 words
Explain how Covey’s principles can be applied within the congregation and ambassador role.
Consider:
Communication
Accountability
Teamwork
Service
Conflict resolution
Building trust
Leading by example
Representing the community with integrity
Provide at least one real or realistic example of how you could apply the principles.
5. Personal Action Plan — 150–200 words
Identify one to three habits you will intentionally practice over the next 30–90 days.
For each habit, state:
Habit → Action → Expected Result
Example:
Habit: Be Proactive
Action: Take responsibility for communicating with my team instead of waiting to be reminded.
Expected Result: Greater reliability, trust, and effectiveness.
6. Conclusion — 100–150 words
Summarize your most important takeaway.
Answer this final question:
“Who do I need to become in order to be the leader, congregant, and ambassador I am called to be?”
Part II — Group Sharing
“Read. Reflect. Apply. Share.”
After completing the essay, participants will gather for a group sharing session.
Group Sharing Purpose
The purpose of this conversation is not to critique one another’s writing. It is to create a space where participants can share insights, learn from different perspectives, and encourage one another toward personal and leadership growth.
Sharing Format
Each participant will have approximately 5–7 minutes to share.
Please be prepared to discuss:
My Biggest Takeaway
What was the most meaningful lesson you received from the reading?My Challenging Habit
Which habit challenged you the most, and why?My Growth Area
What did the book reveal about an area where you need to grow?My Application
What is one specific thing you will begin doing differently?My Commitment
What habit will you intentionally practice over the next 30 days?
Group Discussion Questions
After individual sharing, the group will discuss:
Which habit do you believe is most important for effective leadership?
Which habit is easiest to understand but hardest to practice?
How do our personal habits affect the culture of a congregation or organization?
What does it mean to lead by example?
How can we hold one another accountable without judgment?
What does being an effective brand ambassador look like beyond simply promoting a name or organization?
How can we move from knowing the principles to living the principles?
Group Closing Exercise
Each participant will complete the following statement:
“Because of what I learned, I will…”
Participants will share one specific commitment with the group.
The group will then close with a collective commitment to practice what has been learned rather than allowing the reading to remain simply an intellectual exercise.
Final Challenge
Don’t just read the habits. Build the habits.
Effective leadership begins with personal responsibility. The way we communicate, serve, respond to challenges, treat people, and honor our commitments becomes the message we carry.
As congregants and brand ambassadors, we represent our values most powerfully through how we live them.