Happy New Year! In this special episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey revisit a foundational principle from their grandfather, Stephen R. Covey, to set the tone for the year: "Life is not about accumulation, it is about contribution."

Moving beyond typical New Year's resolutions focused on achievement and acquisition, Stephen and Britain explore why shifting your focus to giving rather than getting is the key to deeper happiness and lasting fulfillment. They unpack the difference between "Primary Greatness" (character, integrity, contribution) and "Secondary Greatness" (titles, fame, fortune), explaining that while pursuing external success is not wrong, building a life on the bedrock of contribution is what makes success meaningful and enduring.

Britain shares a powerful personal story from the NFL, highlighting how veteran teammate Brandon Graham consciously fights a culture of transactional relationships by contributing to every new player. This serves as a model for choosing connection over comparison in any environment. Stephen reflects on a recent family experience serving at a local ministry, which recentered him on what truly matters as a parent.

Backed by research from Harvard, UCLA, and thinkers like Adam Grant, this conversation is a timely reset for anyone feeling the pressure to constantly achieve and acquire. It is a call to find greater joy in 2026 by focusing on the unseen, noble work of contributing to the people right in front of you.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction to Paradigm Shifting Books
• [00:57] Contribution over accumulation: a core principle
• [02:00] Research and studies supporting contribution
• [03:46] Primary vs. secondary greatness
• [04:46] Personal reflections on contribution
• [07:02] NFL insights: Brandon Graham's example
• [14:44] Family and community contributions
• [17:29] Conclusion and reflections for the new year

Notable Quotes

• [01:17] “Life is not about accumulation. It’s about contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey
• [04:02] “You can have secondary greatness without primary greatness, but it won’t last.” – Stephen R. Covey
• [05:24] “My happiness is greatly affected when I live out of a desire for contribution more than accumulation.” – Britain Covey
• [06:57] “ You don't have to be an extrovert to have contribution to other people.” – Britain Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey explore Disrupt Yourself with the author herself, Whitney Johnson, to discuss the powerful framework for understanding personal growth, career evolution, and why progress often feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding. Drawing on Clayton Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation, Whitney applies the same principles used to explain market shifts to individual lives, revealing how meaningful growth requires intentional disruption.

Stephen reflects on why this episode is especially timely, inviting listeners to use moments of pause, like the holiday season, to reflect on where they are in their careers and lives. Through Whitney’s explanation of the S-curve of learning, the conversation unpacks why starting something new feels slow and discouraging, why momentum eventually accelerates, and why mastery can quietly become a trap. Growth, they explain, is not linear, it is cyclical.

The episode also dives into the seven accelerants that move people up the S-curve, including taking the right risks, embracing constraints, stepping back to grow, and reframing failure as a tool rather than a verdict. Whitney shares deeply personal stories from her time on Wall Street and her decision to disrupt her own career, offering a model for navigating change with courage and clarity.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, restless, or ready for their next chapter, and for leaders seeking to better understand how growth unfolds in themselves and others.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:36] Holiday Reflection
• [01:33] Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson
• [03:17] The S-Curve of Learning
• [08:15] Applying the S-Curve to Personal Growth
• [12:34] Seven Variables for Growth
• [16:08] Embracing Failure as a Tool for Growth

Notable Quotes

• [05:34] “Disruption isn’t just about products, it’s about people.” – Whitney Johnson
• [05:38] “If I'm going to accomplish what I feel I need to in life, I may need to disrupt myself.”– Whitney Johnson
• [09:13] “Every time I start something new, I am at the base of the S-curve, and growth is happening but it's not yet apparent.”– Whitney Johnson
• [10:56] “ When you know where you are, you increase your capacity to grow. You orient yourself and so that can impact you, and it can help you grow the people around you. So the S-curve is basically telling you where you are on the mountain..” – Whitney Johnson
• [16:46] “ Failure and mistakes are not actually the problem.It's the shame that we associate with the mistakes.” – Whitney Johnson

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey return to the foundational principles behind Michael Bungay Stanier’s bestselling book The Coaching Habit. Building on their previous conversation about The Advice Trap, they unpack why most people jump too quickly into giving answers and how learning to “stay curious longer” transforms leadership, mentoring, and everyday conversations.

Stephen walks through the seven core coaching questions that form the backbone of Michael’s work, explaining how these simple prompts help leaders shift from advice givers to effective guides. Britain brings a unique perspective from the world of professional sports, reflecting on what great coaching looks like in high-pressure environments and why the best coaches help players discover insights for themselves.

Together, they explore how these seven questions create clarity, empower others, and strengthen relationships, whether in the workplace, on the field, or at home. This episode is a practical, wisdom-packed guide for anyone who wants to influence others in a more meaningful and effective way.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:46] Overview of Michael Bungay Stanier’s books
• [01:51] The seven coaching questions
• [03:13] Brit’s perspective: Athlete’s perspective on coaching
• [05:27] Guiding others to their own solutions
• [07:20] Applying coaching in leadership
• [08:13] When direct advice is needed

Notable Quotes

• [01:22] " The main principle is this, which is to stay curious longer and to rush to advice a little more slowly." – Stephen
• [02:49] " Literally, if you just ask these questions, then you automatically are, in a way, like a pretty effective coach." – Stephen
• [05:12]  I've always loved that concept of like, in order for you to influence someone, you almost have to help them come up with this idea or their own version of it organically.” – Britain
• [05:27] “ All these questions, they’re a guide to help other people come up with their own solutions. Because those solutions will always stick more.”– Britain

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn