Stephen R. Covey
Born 1932 · Age 93
American educator, author, businessman, and motivational speaker; best known for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; co-founder of FranklinCovey; professor and leadership consultant.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah
Stephen Richards Covey born to Stephen Glenn Covey and Irene Louise Richards Covey in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Entered University of Utah at age 16
Covey entered the University of Utah at the unusually young age of 16.
Graduated University of Utah (B.S. in Business Administration)
Completed bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Utah.
Served two-year LDS mission in England (approx.)
Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England and worked in missionary training (dates approximated from sources).
Married Sandra Merrill
Married Sandra Merrill in the Salt Lake Temple; the couple would have nine children.
Earned MBA from Harvard Business School
Completed Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.
Became first president of LDS Irish Mission
Beginning in July 1962, Covey served as the first president of the Church's Irish Mission.
Published Spiritual Roots of Human Relations
One of Covey's earlier devotional/educational works published by Deseret Book Company; an influence on later secular works.
Published How to Succeed with People
Published an early work focused on interpersonal skills and success.
Served as mission representative of the Quorum of the Twelve
Started serving (around 1973) as a mission representative overseeing training of missionaries in the eastern U.S.
Earned Doctor of Religious Education (DRE) from BYU
Completed doctoral dissertation on human relations training (PhD/DRE awarded by Brigham Young University).
Published The Divine Center
Published another devotional work for Latter-day Saint readers.
Left BYU to found Stephen R. Covey & Associates
Departed full-time teaching at BYU's School of Management to launch his consulting/training firm (often called Covey Leadership Center).
Published The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Released his best-known book, which popularized 'character ethic' and seven habits framework.
Published Principle-Centered Leadership
Released an influential leadership book expanding themes from The 7 Habits (date per common listings; multiple editions exist).
Received his first honorary doctorate
Received his first honorary doctorate (he would be awarded ten honorary doctorates over time).
International Entrepreneur of the Year Award (1994)
Received the 1994 International Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his entrepreneurial leadership.
Published First Things First
Co-authored First Things First (with Roger and Rebecca Merrill), focusing on time management and priorities.
Named one of Time's 25 Most Influential People
Time magazine named Covey one of the 25 most influential Americans of 1996.
Published The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
Released a family-focused application of the 7 Habits principles.
Covey Leadership Center merged to form FranklinCovey
Stephen R. Covey and associates' firm merged with Franklin Quest to form FranklinCovey, a global professional-services firm and specialty retailer (1997).
Received Sikh's International Man of Peace Award
Awarded the International Man of Peace Award (Sikh organization) in 1998.
Published Living the 7 Habits
Published a collection of real-life stories illustrating application of the 7 Habits.
Inducted into the Shingo Academy
Inducted into the Shingo Academy for Operational Excellence (part of the Huntsman School of Business) in April 2002.
Received Fatherhood Award from National Fatherhood Initiative
Recognized for his work and emphasis on family with the 2003 Fatherhood Award.
Received Toastmasters International Golden Gavel award
Awarded the Golden Gavel by Toastmasters International in 2004 for excellence in speaking.
Published The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
Released The 8th Habit as a sequel to The 7 Habits addressing leadership in the Knowledge Worker era.
Audio edition milestone for The 7 Habits (milestone)
The 7 Habits audio version became the first non-fiction audiobook in U.S. publishing history to sell more than one million copies (milestone noted in sources; date reported in years after initial publication).
Launched Stephen Covey Online Community
Launched an online community (March 2008) offering online classes, content, and social networking around his principles (site later removed after his death).
Published The Leader in Me
Published The Leader in Me, documenting how schools and parents used the 7 Habits to teach leadership to children.
Started career development webinar series (2009)
Initiated a series of webinars to help people during the economic recession (program to deliver timely career content).
The Leader in Me used in 150+ elementary schools (reported)
By Oct 2009 the Leader in Me program was being used by more than 150 elementary schools across several countries.
Inducted into Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum Hall of Fame
Added to the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum Hall of Fame on November 14, 2009.
Joined Utah State University Jon M. Huntsman School of Business faculty
Accepted the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership at Utah State University (announcement Feb 18, 2010).
Published Huffington Post blog on education
On April 20, 2010 Covey posted 'Our Children and the Crisis in Education' on the Huffington Post.
Published The 3rd Alternative
Released The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life's Most Difficult Problems, focused on conflict resolution beyond compromise.
Bicycle accident in Rock Canyon Park (serious injuries)
In April 2012 Covey lost control of his bicycle in Rock Canyon Park, Provo; suffered head injury, cracked ribs and partially collapsed lung.
Utah State announced plans for Stephen R. Covey Center for Leadership
Following his death Utah State University planned to establish the Stephen R. Covey Center for Leadership in his honor; Covey had donated his salary as chair to initiate the project.
Died from complications of bicycle accident
Died on July 16, 2012 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls from complications related to the April bike accident. Age reported as 79 in sources (born Oct 24, 1932).
Posthumous 2nd edition: The Leader in Me (2nd ed.)
A second edition of The Leader in Me was published posthumously in 2014 (2nd edition listed among works).
Key Achievement Ages
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