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Stephen R. Covey

Quotes & Wisdom

Portrait of Stephen R. Covey, famous for their inspirational quotes and wisdom

Stephen Covey was an educator and author whose The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has sold over 40 million copies and been named the most influential business book of the 20th century. His principle-centered approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness continues to shape leadership development worldwide.

Covey's central argument was that lasting effectiveness comes from character — integrity, humility, courage, patience — not from personality techniques or quick fixes. This return to what he called the 'Character Ethic' distinguished his work from the self-help books that preceded it.

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Begin with the end in mind.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
We see the world, not as it is, but as we are — or, as we are conditioned to see it.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
It's not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Live out of your imagination, not your history.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.
— Stephen R. Covey
from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Books by Stephen R. Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

1989