Stephen Covey Quotes

American educator, author, businessman and motivational speaker (1932-2012)

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Stephen R. Covey (October 24, 1932 – July 16, 2012) was an American author of the bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, as well as other books.

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Native Name: Stephen Richards Covey

Alternative Names: Stephen R. Covey

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If you organize your family life to spend even ten or fifteen minutes a morning reading something that connects you with these timeless principles, its almost guaranteed that you will make better choices during the day — in the family, on the job, in every dimension of life. Your thoughts will be higher. Your interactions will be more satisfying. You will have a greater perspective. You will increase that space between what happens to you and your response to it. You will be more connected to what really matters most.

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Don't argue for other people's weaknesses. Don't argue for your own. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it / immediately.

In fact, “grow or die” is the moral imperative of all existence.

In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.

It is character that communicates most eloquently.

What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say.

Did you ever consider how ridiculous it would be to try to cram on a farm — to forget to plant in the spring, play all summer and then cram in the fall to bring in the harvest? The farm is a natural system. The price must be paid and the process followed. You always reap what you sow; there is no shortcut.

Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy.

You can't talk your way out of a problem you behaved your way into!

The only person I know, is the person I want to be

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!

Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.” Is that not also the essence of good teaching?

When man created the mirror, he began to lose his soul. He became more concerned with his image than with his self.

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.