"7 Habits" author dies after bike crash

(AP) SALT LAKE CITY - Stephen R. Covey, author of the top-selling motivational book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," died on Monday at an Idaho hospital from injuries he suffered in a bicycle accident in April, family members said in a statement. He was 79.

Covey, who would have turned 80 in October, was founder of a Salt Lake City-based business that evolved into FranklinCovey, a multi million-dollar corporate consulting, training and publication enterprise, according to the firm's website.

Covey, who earned a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University and a doctorate from Utah's Brigham Young University, shot to fame with the 1989 publication of "7 Habits," his self-help guide to success in business.

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Covey was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious in the bicycle accident on a steep road in the foothills of Provo, Utah, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

At the time, his publicist, Debra Lund, said doctors had not found any signs of long-term damage to his head.

"He just lost control on his bike and crashed," Lund said. "He was wearing a helmet, which is good news."

Covey is the author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and co-founder of Utah-based professional services company FranklinCovey.

Catherine Sagers, Covey's daughter, told The Salt Lake Tribune in April that her father had suffered some bleeding on his brain after the bicycle accident.

He went on to write several other bestsellers about business management, including "Principle-Centered Leadership," became a favorite motivational speaker on the Fortune 100 circuit and served as a personal consultant to organizations ranging from Procter & Gamble to NASA.

Covey was named one of the world's top 50 business thinkers in 2011 by Thinkers50, a group that compiles that list every other year.

He died at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls "due to the residual effects of a bike accident he suffered this past April," his family said in its statement.

In his final hours, Covey was surrounded ``by his loving wife and each one of his children and their spouses, as we sang him his favorite hymns, just as he always wanted,'' the family statement said.

[foo8259]

Habits my Grandfather, who lived 98 years and still ran the farm, told me: "Eat when hungry, drink when dry, keep on breathing and yo will never die." Also "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday Sun." I am over 60, bike all the time without a helmet -- I have one, perhaps I should wear it? Ill start tomorrow.

[lorne46]

Now if only the church would kick the habits . . .

[55minus5]

Those "teachers" know well their *principles* aren't worth a shoot.
It amazes me how many people get rich in America just by blabbing nonsence and producing nothing but a shallow cult.
OK, Romney, see ya later.

[knewsteerrrrr]

"He just lost control on his bike and crashed," Lund said. "He was wearing a helmet, which is good news."

How was the helmet good news? he's still DEAD!

[55minus5]

The good news is, the helmet was intact.

[askagain]

The statemnt about the helmet was made shortly after the accident in April when doctors didn't think there was serious damage. Covey didn't die ubtil July. Because doctors thought Covy would be ok, the statement made in April is perfectly logical.

[Transatlantique]

The death of another con artist doesn't really affect me.

[55minus5]

Especially that old.

[askagain]

Why are you so negative? Covey built up a succesful company and was highly regarded in the business community. Is success that distasteful to you?

[hypnotoad72]

Looks like the cheese moved too far...

His books, like Dr Phil and other meme slingers, were indeed cheesy...

The usual "common sense" issues re-wrapped in another book to hype up and market. It's not the messages, but how he sold them that ended up applying more weight to success. To succeed, you need a silver tongue and know how to game the system... he knew that and, to my knowledge, he didn't do anything unethical so there's little to actually criticize...

My condolences to his family for their loss, but 79 - all things considered - is a pretty good run. Many people aren't as fortunate. Must be the business.

[55minus5]

Cheese moved too far?
What color is your parachute, hypno?

[marcie10000]

Hypnotoad - that is an astute comment!

[nohater]

seems like so many have consulting and training businesses these days. all that consulting and training must not be doing much good because nearly everything is made in china.

[hypnotoad72]

Or printed there... the last time I bought a book printed there, the smell emanating from it was very toxic indeed...

[superdem1]

Habit number 8 - Don't ride a bike down a steep road when you're 79 years old.

[RichZubaty]

Took the words right outta my mouth.

[hypnotoad72]

Ouch. There are things I can be cynical of, but accidents can happen to any one at any time. He was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a human, I do have feelings.

Maybe his book had a chapter on what to do if one's business ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and in this new normal economy to serve up entertaining yet empty flapdoodle to raise one's spirits and profit off of peddling such false hopes might be just what the doctor ordered... so, philosophically speaking I'm a tad ambivalent. Who said life was simple, and would such a person be believed?