Some books date fast. Others grow more relevant with time.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is definitely the latter.

We’ve been referencing this classic a lot recently, for good reason. It underpins a lot of how we think and work at Taylored Solutions. Think Win-Win is built into our values, the Eisenhower Matrix is a regular planning tool we use, and we always try to begin with the end in mind when guiding our clients.

Why The 7 Habits Still Matter

Covey doesn’t offer surface-level advice or Hacks. He focuses instead, on timeless values and habits that help individuals and teams build clarity, character, and long-term effectiveness.

His main message? Real success comes from developing strong internal principles, not chasing quick wins or external rewards.

The book is structured around three progressive areas:

• Independence – leading yourself well
• Interdependence – working or leading effectively with others
• Continuous Improvement – renewing and growing over time

Each habit builds from the last, from taking responsibility and prioritising what matters to collaborating with empathy and creating synergy. It’s a framework that feels as relevant in modern IT and cybersecurity as it does in leadership or personal development.

Applying the Habits at Taylored Solutions

While all seven of Covey’s habits are fundamental to how we work at Taylored Solutions, a few stand out more clearly in the way we deliver our Fractional/Virtual CTO services, independent audits, and consulting. These are the habits we draw on most often as we lead, plan, and support our clients.

🧠 Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

This habit is all about clarity and intentional planning, exactly what our Fractional/Virtual CTO and other services are built on.

We help clients stop reacting to immediate tech issues and instead design solutions around long-term goals. Questions we want you to ask often include:

• What does secure, scalable success look like for your business?
• What systems and structures will support that in the next 3–5 years?

It’s a mindset shift: from seeing your technology as a cost to it becoming your competitive advantage, and what sets you apart within your market.

⏳ Habit 3: Put First Things First

This is where the Eisenhower Matrix we talked about last week comes in — prioritising what’s important, not just what’s urgent.

In cybersecurity in particular, it’s easy to become reactive. Flashing alerts and fire-fighting can dominate the day. But we know to look beyond the noise. We focus on:

• Proactive defence
• Strategic alignment
• Long-term resilience

This habit reminds us that leadership means choosing what to focus on and not just reacting to the loudest demand. It’s about preventing the noise of IT emergencies by consistently making time for the work that sits in quadrant two of the matrix.

🤝 Habit 4: Think Win-Win

This habit shapes how we approach every client relationship. For us, Win-Win is practical, not fluff.

• We don’t recommend tools we wouldn’t use ourselves.
• We don’t pitch services unless they solve meaningful problems.
• We aim for shared success, not dependency.

This approach builds trust, transparency, and long-term partnerships, with outcomes that benefit both sides.

Final Thought: Effectiveness Is a Habit

Covey’s message is clear: effectiveness isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters, and doing it with clarity, integrity, and empathy.

Part of doing what matters means making time to sharpen the saw - Habit 7. We talk about this often at Taylored Solutions. It’s about renewal, rest, and maintaining the tools (or people) that keep everything running. Whether it’s exercise, good diet, sleep, reading, or just stepping back or even booking the vehichle in for a

service, this habit is about putting yourself in quadrant two. The things that don’t feel urgent until they’re absolutely critical.

That’s something we aim to bring into our work every day at Taylored Solutions.

Curious how these habits show up in the way we deliver IT strategy and cybersecurity? We’re always up for a conversation, be it about business goals or great books, as long as it’s over good coffee ☕️

Further reading:

Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People