Maturity Continuum

In the book - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey uses this framework to describe the stages of personal growth and development, focusing on how individuals progress from dependence to independence and ultimately to interdependence:

·         Dependence: In this stage, individuals rely on others for their needs, decisions, and emotional support. They lack the autonomy to take control of their lives.

·         Independence: At this stage, individuals develop a sense of self-reliance and take responsibility for their actions and choices. They value their own opinions and decisions.

·         Interdependence: This is the highest level of personal maturity, where individuals are capable and confident on their own but recognize the value of collaborating with others. They seek mutual benefit and work synergistically to achieve shared goals.

Covey emphasizes that true effectiveness and success are achieved through interdependence, where individuals leverage the strengths of each other, communicate openly, and collaborate to achieve outcomes that are greater than what they could achieve independently.