To Bring Balance to Life

Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey (October 24, 1932 – July 16, 2012) was an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, and author who dedicated his life to teaching principle-centered living and leadership to build both healthy and successful families and organisations. Dr. Covey was also the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which has been called the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century and one of the top-ten most influential management books ever. It has sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages throughout the world. Other bestsellers include First Things First, Principle-Centered leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, and, most recently, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness, published in 2004. Stephen Covey received many awards dealing with contributions to peace in the world, entrepreneurial leadership and service to humanity. He said that the most meaningful award he received is the 2003 Fatherhood Award from the National Fatherhood Initiative – as a father of nine and grandfather of forty-three.

Related Stephen Covey Quotes 

“For parents to instill a sense of vision and possibility into a family, to exercise the discipline and sacrifice to pull that vision off, and to endure through the difficult times with a deep sense of passion, drive and commitment, all in a conscience-driven way, I suggest, is the ultimate and best test of leadership. If part of the vision is to see this family culture transmitted from generation to generation, perhaps in that alone will our lives be fulfilled and joyful, even if we accomplish nothing else…. God bless you in your effort to create a beautiful family culture. And God bless your family… It is never too late for us to become what we might have been.”

–Stephen R. Covey [The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness] p. 93

“Values are social norms — they’re personal, emotional, subjective, and arguable. All of us have values. Even criminals have values. The question you must ask yourself is, Are your values based upon principles? In the last analysis, principles are natural laws — they’re impersonal, factual, objective and self-evident. Consequences are governed by principles and behavior is governed by values; therefore, value principles!”

–Stephen R. Covey [The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness] p. 49

“Spiritual Intelligence represents our drive for meaning and connection with the infinite.”

–Stephen R. Covey [The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness] p. 53

Spiritual Theme

“One of my mottoes serves as a powerful spiritual theme for me: “Live life in crescendo.” In other words, the most important work you’ll ever do is still ahead of you. Another such spiritual theme for me would be: “Educate and obey your conscience.” Educating as I speak of it here involves getting into the sacred literature of all the great traditions that have had enduring value and then consciously living true to what you have learned. The more you live true to it, the stronger your conscience becomes. A constant effort is required to stay on track with such stewardship.”

–Stephen R. Covey [Spiritual-Based Leadership Interview] p. 5

Distinction Between Spirituality and Religion

“I make a real conscientious effort in my leadership, writing, and speaking not to refer to any one particular religion, but only to deal with that which is universal. Although I am an active member of the Mormon Church I don’t get any Mormon theology snuck into it in some secret way. I have no hidden agenda. I am often asked the question, “How much has your Mormonism influenced your view”, and I say, “It has influenced me tremendously, but all that we are dealing with here are principles that are universal and timeless.” And then I would say, “If you disagree with me, just tell me which principles you believe in – and do you live them?””

–Stephen R. Covey [Spiritual-Based Leadership Interview] p. 5