DigitalNow: Association Leadership in the Digital Age

Stephen M. R. Covey is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, which, under his stewardship, became the largest leadership development company in the world. A Harvard MBA, he joined Covey Leadership Center as a Client Developer and later became National Sales Manager and then President & CEO.

Under Covey's direction, the company grew rapidly and profitably, achieving Inc. 500 status and recognition. Covey personally led the strategy that propelled his father's book, Dr. Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to the number one bestselling business book of the 20th Century, according to CEO Magazine.

As President & CEO, Covey nearly doubled revenues to $112 million while increasing profits by 12 times. During that period, both customer and employee trust reached new highs and the company expanded throughout the world into over 40 countries. This greatly increased the value of the brand and company. The company was valued at only $2.4 million when Covey was named CEO, and, within three years, he grew shareholder value to $160 million in a merger he orchestrated with then Franklin Quest to form FranklinCovey.

Over the years, Covey has gained considerable respect and influence with executives and leaders of Fortune 500 companies as well as with mid- and small-sized organizations he's consulted. Prior to becoming CEO, he personally led consulting teams that implemented principle-centered leadership in numerous organizations, including the Saturn division of General Motors, PepsiCo, Marriott International, Conoco, du Pont, Cummins Engine, Eli Lilly, Shell, Occidental Petroleum, and many others.

Covey recently co-founded and is CEO of his own boutique firm—CoveyLink—which is a learning and consulting practice focused on enabling leaders and organizations to increase and leverage trust to achieve superior performance. The Speed of Trust represents over a decade of research and practice on how creating high trust within organizations propels speed, influence, and results. To accompany his writing, Covey enlightens audiences through engaging presentations.

Covey currently serves on the board/advisory board of numerous companies, including the Human Performance Institute—the leader in energy management technology—where he serves as Advisory Board Chairman.

Covey resides with his wife and children in the Rocky Mountains of Utah.