Who is Stephen R. Covey?
Stephen R. Covey (October 24, 1932 – July 16, 2012) was an American educator, author, and businessman. He is best known for his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989), which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
Covey was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in business administration. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a doctorate in education from the University of Utah.
Covey taught at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. He also served as the president of the American Management Association.
Covey’s books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
Covey died of a heart attack in July 2012 at the age of 79.
II. Stephen Covey’s Early Life
Stephen R. Covey was born on October 24, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the son of Franklin Covey, a businessman and politician, and Bertha Covey, a homemaker. Covey had three siblings: a brother, Franklin Jr., and two sisters, Elaine and Margaret.
Covey attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1954. He then served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines from 1954 to 1956.
After returning from his mission, Covey worked as a salesman for the Utah Gas and Electric Company from 1956 to 1961. He then attended Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA in 1964.
III. Covey’s Education
Covey attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1961. He then went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1964.
After graduating from Harvard, Covey worked as a management consultant for several years. In 1972, he founded the Covey Leadership Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching leadership principles.
Covey also taught at BYU and at the University of Utah. He was a prolific author, writing several books on leadership and personal development. His most famous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Covey died in 2012 at the age of 80. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers on leadership and personal development in the 20th century.
II. Stephen Covey’s Early Life
Stephen R. Covey was born on October 24, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the son of Stephen Gilbert Covey and Bertha Lillian (Hart) Covey. Covey’s father was a professor of religion at Brigham Young University, and his mother was a homemaker. Covey had two older brothers and one younger sister.
Covey attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1954. He then served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil from 1954 to 1956.
After returning from his mission, Covey attended Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA in 1959. He then worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company from 1959 to 1964.
V. Covey’s Books
Stephen Covey wrote a number of books on leadership and management, including:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989)
- Principle-Centered Leadership (1991)
- The 8th Habit (2004)
- The Leader in Me (2006)
These books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into dozens of languages. They have been praised for their practical advice on how to live a more effective and fulfilling life.
VI. Covey’s Teachings
Stephen Covey’s teachings on leadership and management are based on his principle-centered approach. He believed that the most effective leaders are those who are principled, have a strong moral compass, and are focused on serving others. Covey’s teachings also emphasize the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and continuous improvement.
Covey’s most famous book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, outlines his principles for success in life and work. These habits include:
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
Covey’s teachings have been widely influential, and his books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. His principles have been adopted by businesses, organizations, and individuals around the world.
VII. Covey’s Influence
Stephen Covey’s work has had a profound impact on the fields of leadership and management. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Covey’s teachings have been adopted by businesses, organizations, and individuals around the world. He has been called “the most influential leadership expert of our time” and “the father of modern leadership.”
Covey’s work has been praised for its practical insights and its ability to help people improve their lives and careers. His books have been used as textbooks in business schools and leadership training programs. Covey’s teachings have also been used by organizations to improve their performance and create more positive work cultures.
However, Covey’s work has also been criticized for being too simplistic and for lacking a critical perspective. Some critics have argued that Covey’s focus on individual responsibility ignores the structural factors that can limit people’s ability to succeed. Others have argued that Covey’s teachings are too focused on material success and that they neglect the importance of social and environmental justice.
Despite these criticisms, Stephen Covey’s work has had a significant impact on the world. His books have helped millions of people to improve their lives and careers. His teachings have been adopted by businesses, organizations, and individuals around the world. Covey’s work has helped to create a more positive and productive world.
VIII. Covey’s Death
Stephen Covey died on July 16, 2012, at the age of 80. He had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and had been undergoing treatment. Covey’s death was a shock to many people, as he was considered to be a living legend in the fields of leadership and personal development.
Covey’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world. His family and friends held a private funeral service, but a public memorial service was held at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Covey’s legacy continues to live on through his books, teachings, and the work of the Covey Leadership Center. He is considered to be one of the most influential thinkers on leadership and personal development in history.
IX. Stephen Covey’s Legacy
Stephen Covey’s legacy is one of a highly influential and successful author, speaker, and consultant on leadership and management. His books, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. Covey’s work has had a profound impact on the way people think about leadership and management, and his principles have been adopted by businesses and organizations around the world.
Covey’s legacy is also one of a humble and generous man who dedicated his life to helping others. He was a tireless advocate for education, and he founded the Covey Leadership Center to provide training and resources for leaders at all levels. Covey’s work has had a positive impact on the lives of millions of people, and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide leaders for generations to come.