The
rd
3 Alternative
by
Stephen R. Covey
Background:
 Recognized as one of Time magazine's 25 most influential
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Americans, Stephen R. Covey has dedicated his life to
demonstrating how every person can truly control their
destiny with profound, yet straightforward guidance.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Principle Centered Leadership
The 8th Habit
The Leader in Me
The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life's Most Difficult
Problems
Introduction and Main Concepts
 The case against two-alternative thinking
- A compromise can satisfy not delight
 “Synergy”
- Harnessing the energy of the group. Debunking the myths
 Paradigm Shifts
- Before we move towards synergy, have a bring a change in the
way we perceive things
Tomato
Would you have eaten a tomato in the 16th Century?
Guiding Principles of finding the 3rd
Alternative:
 I see myself
The real identity theft
 I see you
People are not things
 I seek you out
Empathizing and the talking stick
•
SEE
I Synergize With you
Ask
Define
GET
DO
Create
Arrive
“The magic Theatre”
Thermoplastics
A contraception to
keep Vaccines in
stable condition
for up to 6 months
in areas without
electricity.
The 3rd alternative at work
 Over coming the GET principle
Gain. Emotion. Territory
 Paradigm Shifts
 Forming Third Alternative teams
 Third Alternative Skills
-prototyping, counter typing.
CASE IN POINT:
The synergy of Henry Royce and
Honorable Charles Rolls
The 3rd Alternative at home
 “Compassion” and “Celebrating differences”
 Understanding that you are not the victim and can always
decide your reaction
Stimulus
Response
 Listening, empathizing, creating a Third Space
Every child is a
3rd alternative…
The 3rd Alternative at School
 Instead of educating or producing workers, cultivate
“Leaders”
“ The leader in me”
Universities as Trim Labs
Case of Combs Elementary School
Stenden University of Leeuwarden in
Netherland, opened a new campus in
NeMaTo
Adoption of “The 7 Habits of highly
effective people” into the curriculum
Educational Institute for Service
Studies
“lets Rise and do it ourselves”
The 3rd Alternative in Society
 Instead of individualism or collectivism, work on the theory
of Interdependence
 Synergy in a whole society:
1. Transform a blood thirsty king into a pioneer of peace.
2. Change the ‘worst block of the city’ into an iconic centre of
tourism and entertainment
3. Decrease juvenile violence through ‘countertyping’
“Positive ticketing” in Vancouver by Ward Clapham
Then
Now
The 3rd alternative can be applied to many other social
debates of today:
 Wellness of Earth:
Development v/s Environmentalism
Holistic
Conversation
 Healthcare:
Cost v/s Quality
Wellness
 Poverty alleviation:
Social Justice v/s Personal Responsibility
Human
Dignity
A 3rd Alternative Life
Contribute
Retire to leisure
Keep working
• A permanent vacation or a permanent mission?