Winning Habits: 4 Secrets That Will Change the Rest of Your Life [Hardcover]

Dick Lyles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2004

Winning Habits is a powerful parable that identifies the four fundamental habits at the heart of success in business and in life--and shows exactly how readers can apply those habits in their own lives. The 4 secrets that will change the rest of readers' lives are: 1) Be first on, last off, and add extra value; 2) Never trade results for excuses; 3) Solve problems in advance; 4) Always make those around you look good. The book builds on the lessons and characters in Dick Lyles' bestselling Winning Ways to show readers how to make great things happen around them and for them--whether or not they're already in a leadership role. This is the first book to combine the "habits" focus that made Stephen Covey's Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People so successful and the parable approach used so well by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. In fact, Lyles has worked closely with Blanchard and Johnson--and both have reviewed and enthusiastically endorsed this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In Winning Ways, Dick Lyles showed us how to work well with people. Now, in Winning Habits, he gives us the secrets to a lifetime of fulfillment.”

—Spencer Johnson, author, Who Moved My Cheese?

“Dick Lyles brings a wealth of corporate experience and business savvy to his latest innovation, Winning Habits. Uniquely written through the eyes of fiction, this book does far more than entertain—it inductively teaches many profound and practical principles embodied in habits.”

—Dr. Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

“Dick Lyles has done it again. In Winning Habits he has given us a simple but powerful message that can make us more effective not only at work, but also in our personal lives. Read it and start winning more.”

—Ken Blanchard, co-author, The One Minute Manager®

“The quickest way to create a winning culture in your company is to have everyone read Winning Habits and adopt its secrets.”

—Harry Paul, co-author, Fish! A Remarkable Wayto Boost Morale and Improve Results

“Winning Habits proves that Dick Lyles is becoming one of the leading parable writers of our time. This is a charming story that is sure to make a difference in your life.”

—Drea Zigarmi, co-author, Developing Leadership and Character and Founding Partner of The Ken Blanchard Companies®

“Sustained high performance is often its own reward. WinningHabits can help everyone set their personal course toward lifelong fulfillment.”

—Bob Nelson, Ph.D., author, 1001 Rewards & Recognition Fieldbook and 1001 Ways to Reward Employees

“Everywhere we turn we hear how important it is to develop a strong work ethic. No one has ever showed us how as clearly as Dick Lyles illustrates in Winning Habits. This is a must read for anyone who wants to come out on top.”

—Paul Stauffer, CEO, Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill

From the Back Cover

4 Simple Secrets of Success...Make Them Work for You!“In Winning Ways, Dick Lyles showed us how to work well with people. Now, in Winning Habits, he gives us the secrets to a lifetime of fulfillment.”

—SPENCER JOHNSON
Author of the worldwide best seller Who Moved My Cheese?

“Dick Lyles brings a wealth of corporate experience and business savvy to his latest innovation, Winning Habits. Uniquely written through the eyes of fiction, this book does far more than entertain—it inductively teaches many profound and practical principles embodied in habits.”

—DR. STEPHEN R. COVEY
Best-selling author, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

“Dick Lyles has done it again. In Winning Habits he has given us a simple but powerful message that can make us more effective not only at work, but also in our personal lives. Read it and start winning more.”

—KEN BLANCHARD
Co-author, The One Minute Manager®

Be first on, last off, and add extra value
Never trade results for excuses
Solve problems in advance
Always make those around you look good

In the spirit of Who Moved My Cheese? and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, this business parable teaches you the four personal habits at the heart of success, then shows how to put them to work… live them… and change your life forever.

Winning Habits is about making great things happen around you… and for you. This powerful parable identifies the four fundamental habits that lead to success… and helps you apply those habits in your life… your whole life… starting right now.

When it comes to identifying simple personal changes that lead to powerful results, nobody knows more than Dick Lyles. And nobody’s better at helping you make those changes stick—for today, tomorrow, and the rest of your life. (If you’re among the millions who’ve been touched by his personal appearances and consulting engagements, you already know that!)

Whether you’re struggling to jump start your career… or lead a team to greatness… or improve your entire organization’s performance… or you’re a consultant, coach, or trainer… Winning Habits has the answers. Read it. Share it. Live it!

Reviewed and endorsed by Spencer Johnson, Ken Blanchard, and Stephen R. Covey!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: FT Press (January 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131453580
• ISBN-13: 978-0131453586
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, interesting and entertaining approach, July 15, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winning Habits: 4 Secrets That Will Change the Rest of Your Life (Hardcover)

It never ceases to amaze me how the best teachers and philosophers can take a tremendous amount of wisdom and distill it into a compact sentence or two so it is easily remembered. In "Winning Habits" author Dick Lyles has done an excellent job of doing exactly that. A whole philosophy of life is distilled down into just four sentences which, when they become habits, will propel you forward in life no matter what your goals.

The book doesn't read like a typical self-help book but like a fictional work. The reader sees life through the eyes of Albert and Jennifer as she gets regular promotions at work and he is left wondering why he does not. Albert works hard and does his job well but he keeps getting passed over for promotions. His emotional despair over the situation leads him on a search for answers. The end result is a journey into discovering how to be a success at anything you want in life. Through the storyline Mr. Lyles clearly shows the reader not only the secrets to success but also exactly how to use them to change your life. No complex philosophy or convoluted ideas here, just plain simple truths of life. "Winning Habits: 4 Secrets that Will Change the Rest of Your Life" is a highly recommended read.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong self help book, February 24, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winning Habits: 4 Secrets That Will Change the Rest of Your Life (Hardcover)

This amazing self help book seems to answer Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth H. Blanchard being Dr. Covey of Seven Habits fame. Dick Lyles uses fictional characters to bring across his messages that will remind readers of a cross between the two books above. The characters Albert and Jennifer make it much simpler for readers to follow, apply and adhere to Mr. Lyles four not so secret guidelines through their trials and tribulations that will enable the user to improve his or her group dynamics. The secret foursome is obvious yet often ignored whether it is on the job, with family, or with a social religious group. Mr. Lyles suggests the "winning habits" that successful people foster are

- "Be first on, last off, and add extra value" - If you fail to add worth why does the group need you. My spouse always talks about negative man-hours and vampire employees sucking the energy and time of teammates. Don't be one.
- "Never trade results for excuses" - Don't rationalize failure, go out and get the job done.
- "Solve problems in advance" - Be active not reactive.
- "Always make those around you look good" - People will want you on their team if you help make the group look good and not just hog the glory.

WINNING HABITS: 4 SECRETS THAT WILL CHANGE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE is fun to read due to the parable writings that are easy to use in business, in the community and at home. Now if I can find myself a team, I can double my review production.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Will Change the Rest of Your Life, January 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Winning Habits: 4 Secrets That Will Change the Rest of Your Life (Hardcover)

Someone in my office suggested I read this book. Consequently, I have not only read it but suggested it to several other colleagues. It is now circulating throughout our office, and everyone can't stop talking about how effective the 4 habits which Lyles suggests are. People tend to take the workplace for granted and Lyles reinforces fundamental priciples which will help people create a positive and more beneficial environment for everyone, not only in the office but in life as well! I can't wait to read the prequel, Winning Ways!