The Golden Goose Principle: How to Lead with Clarity and Courage

Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a staple in the world of personal development. While the book has its circular moments, it also offers a few golden ideas—ideas worth pausing for.

One of the most powerful is the concept of the Golden Goose: imagine you own a goose that lays a golden egg every morning. The eggs represent outcomes—success, joy, results. The goose is you (or someone you lead): your energy, skills, habits, and character.

If you only chase the eggs, you burn out the goose. If you only protect the goose and never ask for results, nothing gets done. Real effectiveness is not about chasing more—it is about sustaining and growing your ability to produce.

Covey calls this the P/PC Balance: Production vs. Production Capability.

But here is the deeper truth: the change is rarely where we think it is. Whether in parenting, leadership, or teamwork, it is easy to focus on fixing others. But lasting change often begins inside the person who sees, not the one being seen.

When we see others as capable, they rise to meet it.

And perhaps the most empowering truth? We always have a choice. Between stimulus and response is a space—and in that space lies our power to choose. That is where proactive leadership begins.

🔍 https://www.emberhart.com/the-golden-goose-and-the-power-of-choice/

Stop waiting. Start initiating. You do not need permission to lead, grow, or create. Even one breath of courage can open the next door.

Key takeaway: Protect your goose, lead with vision, and never underestimate the power of a single, conscious choice.

#LeadershipDevelopment #CharacterMatters #ProactiveMindset #GrowthAndResilience #InitiativeLeadership #Emberhart #GirlDad #LifeOfPurpose #DareMore