Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey, born on October 24, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Stephen Glenn Covey and Irene Louise Richards, embarked on a journey that made him a household name in the realm of self-help, leadership, and personal effectiveness. His early years were marked by a shift from athletics to academics due to a hip disorder, a transition that arguably laid the foundation for his profound intellectual explorations later in life​​.

His educational journey was as illustrious as his professional one, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Utah, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Doctor of Religious Education from Brigham Young University. His intellectual rigor was further demonstrated through his affiliation with Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the garnering of ten honorary doctorates over his lifetime​.

Covey’s philosophical grounding was significantly influenced by Peter Drucker and Carl Rogers. His in-depth study of American self-help books for his doctoral dissertation, coupled with his affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, laid a solid foundation for his later works. His book "The Spiritual Roots of Human Relations" published in 1970, was a precursor to his more renowned works that followed, showing a secular development of earlier ideas into principles of effectiveness and leadership​.

His seminal work, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," published in 1989, became a cornerstone in the self-help genre, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide. This book introduced a framework of seven habits aimed at personal and interpersonal effectiveness, challenging the "Personality Ethic" and promoting a "Character Ethic" grounded in universal principles. The impact of this book was such that it propelled Covey to international recognition, being named one of the 25 most influential people by Time Magazine in 1996​.

Covey's professional journey saw him co-founding the Covey Leadership Center in 1985, which later merged to form FranklinCovey, a global professional services firm dedicated to leadership development. His vision of empowering organizations to implement principle-centered leadership became the bedrock of FranklinCovey's mission, making it the largest management and leadership development organization globally​​.

Beyond books, Covey was a prolific speaker, consultant, and professor, offering his insights on leadership, time management, and personal and organizational effectiveness across the globe. His teachings, grounded in universal principles, have left an indelible mark on individuals and organizations alike, transcending cultural and professional boundaries, and continue to inspire millions to lead a principle-centered life, exemplifying the essence of true leadership and effectiveness​.