Stephen Richards Covey (October 24, 1932 – July 16, 2012) was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker.

[2] He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) at the time of his death.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey's best-known book, has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide since its first publication in 1989.

[7] Covey argues against what he calls "The Personality Ethic", something he sees as prevalent in many modern self-help books.

He promotes what he labels "The Character Ethic": aligning one's values with so-called "universal and timeless" principles.

Covey proclaims that values govern people's behavior, but principles ultimately determine the consequences.

Covey's 2004 book The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness was published by Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

Covey released The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time in November 2008.

It tells how "some schools, parents and business leaders are preparing the next generation to meet the great challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.

It shows how an elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, decided to try incorporating The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and other basic leadership skills into the curriculum in unique and creative ways.

Covey's grandson, Britain, played college football at his alma mater, University of Utah, and signed as an undrafted free agent to the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2022 NFL draft.