In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey dive into The Four Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling — joined by Chris McChesney himself to share insights firsthand. Together, they break down how the book’s core ideas of focusing on what really matters, tracking the right actions, using simple scoreboards, and sticking to regular check-ins can make a huge difference not just in business, but in everyday life, family routines, and even sports.

Stephen and Britain point out something a lot of us feel: execution often falls apart because of human nature. But instead of just blaming ourselves, the fix is setting up systems that keep us on track. They share real, relatable examples, like how a sales team stayed motivated with a basic scoreboard or how NFL teams zoom in on just a few key plays to win big games.

One big idea they keep coming back to is this: sometimes what seems like a “people problem” is actually a “system problem.” Britain talks about his time in the NFL and how practicing under pressure helped him stay cool when it really counted. Stephen shares how a weekly review habit helps him stay focused on what matters most.

The episode is packed with practical takeaways, but one stands out. Choose just one area in your life that feels a bit out of control, give it some focused attention like it’s in the ICU, and apply these simple, proven disciplines to start seeing real results.

What We Discuss

• [00:17] Introduction
• [01:13] Overview of the four disciplines
• [03:34] Origins of the book & methodology
• [05:24] Is execution a people or systems problem?
• [11:30] Rifle vs. shotgun: The power of focus
• [12:17] Intensive care metaphor for prioritization
• [15:35] The power of a scoreboard
• [19:13] Accountability & weekly commitments
• [21:18] Ownership and buy-in
• [23:08] Sports example: Accountability from top players
• [24:20] Summary & key paradigm shifts

Notable Quotes

• [00:04:24] “We were trying to solve the problem, not write a book” — Chris McChesney
• [00:08:48] “I really genuinely  feel like practicing helped me control and relax my body when I came to high-pressure situations in other sports.” — Britain Covey
• [00:10:54] “If I have my weekly review and do that habit, I’m much more likely to focus on my biggest priorities for that week because I block it out in advance.” — Stephen Covey
• [00:11:30] “What the Four Disciplines of Execution is, is it’s a rifle, not a shotgun.” — Chris McChesney
• [00:15:35] “People play very differently when they’re keeping score.” — Chris McChesney

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• The 4 Disciplines of Execution
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Getting Things Done by David Allen

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode, Stephen and Britain Covey dive into Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. This book completely changes the way we think about tough conversations.

We’re talking about those moments when tensions rise, opinions clash, and saying the wrong thing feels risky. Stephen and Britain unpack why we tend to avoid these talks, how the stories we tell ourselves can mess with our emotions, and why cutting down on lag time, the delay between noticing a problem and actually addressing it can make such a difference in both relationships and organizations.

You’ll also hear from Joseph Grenny himself, who joined the conversation to share how the lessons in Crucial Conversations show up in real life, from business to family to personal leadership. He explains what most people get wrong in high-stakes conversations and how to approach them with courage and clarity.

From business meetings to NFL locker rooms, this episode is packed with real-life examples that show just how powerful these tools can be. You’ll come away with practical ideas to reduce lag time, handle conflict better, stay calm under pressure, and communicate with more clarity and confidence.

Tune in, and get ready to change the way you handle your next tough conversation.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction to Paradigm Shifting Books
• [01:49] The impact of lag time
• [03:53] Consequences of avoiding conversations
• [06:50] Three stages of crucial conversations
• [12:11] Mastering your story
• [16:33] Moving past unhelpful stories
• [17:45] Defining success with purpose
• [20:30] The hedonic treadmill and lasting fulfillment
• [22:38] Paradigm shifts and key takeaways

Notable Quotes

• [01:52] “The health of relationships, the health of teams, even the health of entire organizations can be largely predicted by one simple thing, and that is the average lag time between when people see something and when they say something.” — Joseph Grenny
• [07:26] “Effective, crucial conversations aren't about some kind of esoteric diplomatic skills. It's not cobbling together the right combination of words to get past somebody's defenses. It really is about where you're coming from.” — Joseph Grenny
• [17:46] “The way to be successful is to make sure that you're defining success in purposeful terms, not just in terms of an exit and building an organization or rising to a certain place in an organization.” — Joseph Grenny

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Joseph Grenny

• LinkedIn
• Website

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In a world that glorifies talent and quick wins, this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books offers a refreshing take on what true success requires. Stephen and Britain Covey revisit Angela Duckworth’s Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, exploring how real achievement isn’t about being born gifted; it’s about loving what you do enough to keep showing up.

Through personal stories, from NFL training to parenting challenges, they unpack Duckworth’s core message: grit is the blend of long-term passion and perseverance. It’s not about grinding for the sake of it, but about aligning your effort with what matters most.

They challenge the myth of talent, reflect on how passion develops gradually through exploration, and offer honest insights about raising resilient kids in a world that wants to cushion every fall. They also explore how grit doesn’t diminish happiness; it deepens it. When your effort aligns with your values, fulfillment follows.

Whether you’re navigating your own career path, helping your kids build resilience, or simply trying to stay consistent with your goals, this episode will shift how you think about success. Grit isn’t just about surviving the hard days; it’s about being fueled by purpose through all of them. Tune in and discover what grit really looks like in action.

What We Discuss

• [00:00:02] Introduction
• [00:01:31] Redefining grit: Passion and perseverance
• [00:05:27] Developing passion over time
• [00:10:55] The romance and reality of talent
• [00:14:44] Effort vs. talent at the highest levels
• [00:18:47] Fixed traits vs. malleable qualities
• [00:24:16] Parenting tips for grit: Letting kids struggle
• [00:29:17] Grit and happiness: Avoiding burnout
• [00:32:13] Living with integrity and alignment

Notable Quotes

• [01:31] “I define grit as the combination of perseverance and passion for long-term goals. It's not just about brute force; it's more about loving what you do for a very long time.” — Angela Duckworth
• [05:27] “The development of a passion is probably a better way to phrase this process than the discovery of a passion. Most of us grow into, develop, mature, and evolve into our eventual passions.” — Angela Duckworth
• [14:17] “So much of our success in life is really about what we do and not about what we were born with. It's the long, hard road to climb, but that's the truth of it.” — Angela Duckworth
• [29:49] “Happiness and grit are compatible. The moments in my life where I have felt the most good are when everything is lined up, that what I do well is good for others.” — Angela Duckworth

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

Mentioned 

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
• Writings of Epictetus (Ancient Roman Stoic Philosopher)

In this episode, Stephen and Britain Covey dive into Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen, a groundbreaking book that redefines productivity. They explore how GTD isn’t just about checking off tasks but about creating a trusted system to free your mind, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters.  

Stephen shares his personal connection with David Allen, having worked closely with him early in his career. Together, they unpack the core principles of GTD, from "appropriate engagement" to the five-step workflow, and how these concepts can transform your work, relationships, and daily life.  

Through engaging storytelling and practical insights, this episode challenges the traditional view of productivity and offers a paradigm shift for managing your mind and tasks with clarity. Let's jump in!

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [05:44] Appropriate engagement: clear mind ⇒ full presence
• [09:13] Structure × freedom on the playing field
• [13:15] GTD as an “installed thought-process” for teams
• [17:37] The 5 steps: Capture · Clarify · Organize · Reflect · Engage
• [25:36] Next-action thinking stops mental “open loops”
• [28:52] Procrastination: signal of high stakes, not laziness
• [32:59] Paradigm shifts: presence over productivity & minds for ideas

Notable Quotes

• [05:44] “The methodology is about being appropriately engaged with your life… Are you appropriately engaged with your cat? …with your career and your future?” — David Allen
• [07:05] “Productivity has a lot of baggage: work harder, sweat harder, clock more hours… Real productivity is doing what clears your mind so you can stay focused and present.” — David Allen
• [19:15] “Your brain is a crappy office—it can juggle about four things before it’s hijacked by the latest and loudest.” — David Allen
• [25:36] “If you haven’t nailed the next physical, visible action, you haven’t finished thinking—so your mind keeps looping: What about the Saturday meeting? The cat food?” — David Allen

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• Getting Things Done by David Allen
• Deep Work — Cal Newport
• Four Thousand— Oliver Burkeman

David Allen

• Website

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode, Stephen and Britain Covey spotlight one of the most transformational ideas from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 1: Be Proactive. Featuring rare, archival audio from Stephen R. Covey himself, this episode explores the foundational mindset behind personal growth, empowerment, and leadership.

Stephen R. Covey’s voice rings through decades to offer one of the most important paradigm shifts: that between what happens to us and how we respond, there lies our ultimate freedom. With stories from Viktor Frankl to frontline caregivers to corporate leaders, the episode shows how taking responsibility isn’t just a behavioral shift, it’s a life-altering lens for viewing the world.

Whether you’re navigating career setbacks, relational challenges, or societal pressures, this episode will help you reclaim your agency and expand your influence.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction to power principle episodes
• [01:09] The legacy of Stephen R. Covey and Habit 1.
• [03:03] Viktor Frankl and the last human freedom
• [07:26] Why taking ownership is empowering, not daunting
• [08:56] Circle of Concern vs. Circle of Influence
• [10:19] The rise of Ben: How one proactive employee changed everything

Notable Quotes

• "Between stimulus and response is a space. In that space lies our power and our freedom to choose our response." — Stephen R. Covey
• "Your life is a product of your values, not your feelings... your decisions, not your conditions." — Stephen R. Covey
• "Proactive people work on the inner circle. Reactive people focus on the outer circle." — Stephen R. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R, Covey

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode, Stephen and Britain Covey revisit a modern classic: Essentialism by Greg McKeown. They dive into the core message of doing “less but better,” exploring how prioritizing what truly matters can lead to a more meaningful, purpose-driven life.

Stephen reflects on his friendship with Greg McKeown, sharing stories that highlight the man behind the message. Together, the hosts explore how essentialism isn't just about time management; it's a fundamental paradigm shift. They unpack how this mindset applies in careers, early adulthood, leadership, and even family life.

Through thoughtful storytelling and personal insight, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the constant pursuit of more and instead, embrace the transformative power of intentional living.

What We Discuss

• [00:02] Introduction to essentialism
• [02:26] Greg's personal story that gave birth to essentialism
• [04:40] Principle of prioritizing your life
• [08:09] Life as a diamond mine
• [09:11] Less but better
• [13:04] Essentialism as a paradigm and not a hack
• [17:21] Essentialism for early career
• [21:22] Detecting life's mission
• [25:21] Reflection and experience
• [27:28] Prioritization and control

Notable Quotes

• [03:54] “If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will.” — Greg McKeown
• [08:04] “Life is much more akin to a diamond mine where it's not about how much stuff you get out. It's whether you can identify those few things that are exceptionally valuable.” — Greg McKeown
• [13:04] “If you try to do it all, all the time for everyone, you don't get it all. You get exhausted, you get burned out.” — Greg McKeown
• [13:24] “The essentialist is waking up in a way, a little bit like a Matrix moment, but you just wake up and you go, what? This isn't how it works at all.” — Greg McKeown
• [21:30] “There is an essential and unique mission in life that needs to be detected, not just designed, not just selected.” — Greg McKeown

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this special episode, Stephen and Britain Covey sit down with their father, Stephen M. R. Covey, to explore the real origin story behind The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. From childhood family councils to a 20-year publishing journey, they uncover the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped one of the most influential personal development books of all time.

The episode dives deep into how the habits evolved over time, why paradigms matter more than behavior, and how primary greatness, not just success, leads to lasting fulfillment. With heartfelt stories, insightful breakdowns, and meaningful listener questions, this episode brings the 7 Habits to life in a way you’ve never heard before. Let's dive in!

What We Discuss

• [03:01] How the 7 Habits began as stand-alone principles
• [07:13] How the habit names and structure evolved
• [12:02] Why the 7 Habits took over 20 years to develop
• [16:08] Choosing purpose over profit: Stephen M. R. Covey’s career decision
• [27:11] Private victory as the key to public victory
• [29:38] Mental resilience in competitive environments
• [32:46] The hardest habit to live consistently
• [37:16] What would the 8th habit be?
• [39:19] Are the 7 Habits still relevant today?
• [57:28] Practical applications to live more effectively

Notable Quotes

• [04:47] “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically to say no to other things.” — Stephen H. Covey

• [20:53] “Secondary greatness is success. Primary greatness is character.” — Stephen M. R. Covey

• [25:21] “Peace doesn’t come from accumulation. It comes from contribution.” — Britain Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Books

• The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R, Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey

• LinkedIn 

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this relaunch episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey share exciting updates about the podcast's new direction while blending personal stories with profound insights. Britain, a Super Bowl champion, reveals what winning the Super Bowl really feels like (including a hilarious kindergarten project involving "Flat Stanley"), while both hosts explore their grandfather Stephen R. Covey's timeless wisdom about paradigm shifts and why changing your perspective alters everything.

As part of the relaunch, they’re revisiting the 15 transformative books and authors already featured on the show—mining them for deeper insights and fresh relevance—before continuing their journey toward uncovering 40 must-read books for personal and professional growth. With new weekly episodes, this reboot promises a more structured and thoughtful approach to transformation, one paradigm at a time.

Tune in to discover why Britain's teammates laughed at Flat Stanley, how to apply Einstein's problem-solving principle to daily life, and what makes this podcast's approach to personal growth unique. Let's jump in!

What We Discuss

• [00:02] Introduction to Paradigm Shifting Books
• [01:20] Super Bowl Experience
• [03:24] Flat Stanley in the Super Bowl
• [06:03] Podcast relaunch
• [12:52] Why "paradigm shifting"?
• [14:45] Listening to Stephen R. Covey and Einstein's secret
• [17:50] Roots vs. branches concept
• [19:36] Invitation to join the journey

Notable Quotes

• [00:11:08] “What we'll do initially is go back through the 15 books and then get back into the ultimate goal of reviewing 40 books that everyone should read when it comes to personal and professional development.” — Stephen Covey

• [00:14:00] “Changing your paradigm will change your behavior far quicker than trying to fix the behavior itself.” — Britain Covey

• [00:18:23] “Focus on the roots, not the branches. That’s where real transformation happens.” — Stephen Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram 
• YouTube 

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

Unlocking Confidence and Presence with Amy Cuddy
In this powerful episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey sit down with Amy Cuddy, renowned social psychologist and author of Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges. Together, they explore the transformative concept of presence and how it enables us to show up authentically and confidently in life’s most demanding moments.

Amy shares fascinating insights from her research, including how body language and self-affirmation techniques can help individuals tap into their most empowered selves—even in high-stakes situations like job interviews, public speaking, or competitive sports. Britain as an NFL Punt Returner talks through how Amy’s work has been directly applicable to his role as an NFL player. The conversation dives into the science behind power posing, the profound impact of aligning with your core values, and how to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

From practical strategies for building confidence to stories of real-world application, this episode offers listeners actionable tools to cultivate personal power and authenticity. Whether you’re preparing for a pivotal presentation, navigating a challenging conversation, or striving to perform under pressure, Amy’s insights will inspire you to approach life’s challenges with greater courage and connection.

Tune in for an engaging discussion that’s as practical as it is empowering, and discover how to bring your boldest self to your biggest challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Presence
05:10 Applying Presence in Various Scenarios
10:39 Preparation, Confidence & Self-Affirmation
30:38 Dealing with Hyper-Awareness and External Judgement
36:18 Exploring the Paradox of Nerves and Performance
39:06 The Importance of Personal Power
46:07 Power Posing: The Science and Application
55:02 Practical Tips for Cultivating Personal Power
01:03:13 The Broader Impact of Confidence and Self-Doubt
01:07:53 Affirming Others and Building Presence
01:12:30 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

***
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Previewing ‘Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges’ by Amy Cuddy

In this preview episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey set the stage for their upcoming interview with Amy Cuddy, the renowned social psychologist behind Presence. The brothers share their excitement about discussing a book that has transformed the way we think about confidence and personal power.

They explore the concept of “presence,” likening it to an inner strength that allows you to show up as your best self in critical moments—whether it’s a job interview, a high-stakes presentation, or a pivotal sports moment (like returning punts in the Super Bowl). Drawing from Cuddy’s groundbreaking research, they unpack how presence isn’t an innate quality but a skill that can be developed through intentional shifts in body language and mindset.

The episode touches on key themes from the book, including the science of power posing, the transformative idea of “fake it until you become it,” and the role of presence in overcoming imposter syndrome. Stephen and Britain also share the questions they’re eager to ask Amy in the full interview, including insights into her research process and her thoughts on applying presence in everyday life.

Join the conversation as the hosts dive into why Presence is a must-read for anyone looking to bring their boldest self to life’s biggest challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Presence
03:06 Practical Applications of Presence
06:27 Amy Cuddy's Background
08:32 Questions to explore

***

If you like this podcast and the books we discuss it would mean a lot if you left a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts ;)

Follow Paradigm Shifting Books On:
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