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Stephen Covey Quotes (1932-2012)
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About Stephen Covey
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.
Best Stephen Covey Quotes
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Explore our curated collection of the most famous and impactful Stephen Covey quotes.
“Live out of your imagination, not your history.”
“Self growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no higher investment.”
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
“...when you get a good night's sleep and wake up ready to produce throughout the day.”
“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
“Spiritual Intelligence represents our drive for meaning and connection with the infinite.”
“In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.”
“Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”
“Our capacity for production and enjoyment is a function, in the last analysis, of our character, our integrity.”
“THE MOMENT OF CHOICE
A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It's the testing point of our character and competence.”
A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It's the testing point of our character and competence.”
“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.”
“Give no answer to contentious arguments or irresponsible accusations. Let such things "fly out open windows" until they spend themselves.”
“The power to distinguish between person and performance and to communicate intrinsic worth flows naturally out of our own sense of intrinsic worth.”
“Unless we exercise our power to choose wisely, our actions will be determined by conditions. Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.”
“We are product of neither nature nor nurture; we are a product of choice, because there is always a space between stimulus and response. As we wisely exercise our power to choose based on principles, the space will become larger.”
“Perform anonymous service. Whenever we do good for others anonymously, our sense of intrinsic worth and self-respect increases. … Selfless service has always been one of the most powerful methods of influence.”
“Trust is the glue that holds everything together. It creates the environment in which all of the other elements — win-win stewardship agreements, self-directing individuals and teams, aligned structures and systems, and accountability — can flourish.”
“It's not enough to have values without vision; you want to be good, but you want to be good for something. On the other hand, vision without values can create a Hitler. An empowering mission statement deals with both character and competence; what you want to be and what you want to do in your life.”
“Retire from your job but never from meaningful projects. If you want to live a long life, you need eustress, that is, a deep sense of meaning and contribution to worthy projects and causes, particularly your intergenerational family.”
Stephen Covey Quotes by Topic
Find exactly what you are looking for by browsing this categorized list of Stephen Covey quotes by topic.
Stephen Covey on Growth
“Self growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no higher investment.”
Stephen Covey on Job performance
“The power to distinguish between person and performance and to communicate intrinsic worth flows naturally out of our own sense of intrinsic worth.”
Stephen Covey on Self-esteem
“Perform anonymous service. Whenever we do good for others anonymously, our sense of intrinsic worth and self-respect increases. … Selfless service has always been one of the most powerful methods of influence.”
Stephen Covey on Approach
“We present a dramatically different approach to time management. This is a principle-centered approach. It transcends the traditional prescriptions of faster, harder, smarter, and more. Rather than offering you another clock, this approach provides you with a compass — because more important than how fast you're going, is where you're headed.”
Stephen Covey on Interdependence
“Independent thinking alone is not suited to interdependent reality. Independent people who do not have the maturity to think and act interdependently may be good individual producers, but they won't be good leaders or team players. They're not coming from the paradigm of interdependence necessary to succeed in marriage, family, or organizational reality.”
Stephen Covey on Spiritual intelligence
“Spiritual Intelligence is becoming more mainstream in scientific inquiry and philosophical/psychological discussion. It is the central and most fundamental of all the intelligences because it becomes the source of guidance of the other three. Spiritual intelligence represents our drive for meaning and connection with the infinite. Spiritual intelligence also helps us discern true principles that are part of our conscience, and are symbolized by the compass. The compass is an excellent physical metaphor for principles, because it always points north.”
What Stephen Covey Said About Others
Discover personal opinions Stephen Covey shared regarding contemporaries.
Disputed Quotes
Quotes attributed to Stephen Covey that are questionable.
“ of world problems and bewilderment would be lost if we understood our opponents.”
“There will be real happiness, peace of mind and balance, when living by heart and right-mindedly.”
Misattributed Quotes
Quotes mistakenly credited to Stephen Covey
About Stephen Covey
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.