The Character Ethic taught that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happine… - Stephen Covey

[W]isdom is the child of integrity — being integrated around principles. And integrity is the child of humility and courage. In fact, you could say that humility is the mother of all virtues because humility acknowledges that there are natural laws or principles that govern the universe. They are in charge. Pride teaches us that we are in charge. Humility teaches us to understand and live by principles, because they ultimately govern the consequences of our actions. If humility is the mother, courage is the father of wisdom. Because to truly live by these principles when they are contrary to social mores, norms and values takes enormous courage.

All the well-meaning advice in the world won't amount to a hill of beans if we're not even addressing the real problem.

The real beginning of influence comes as others sense you are being influenced by them — when they feel understood by you — that you have listened deeply and sincerely, and that you are open. But most people are too vulnerable emotionally to listen deeply — to suspend their agenda long enough to focus on understanding before they communicate their own ideas.