Stephen M. R. Covey
Global Practice Leader for Speed of Trust Practice, CoveyLink
Author, Trust & Inspire
This episode will air May 1, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
A new world of work requires a new way to lead. Command and control is dead. Trust and inspire is that new way to lead.
Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Stephen M. R. Covey—bestselling author and Global Practice Leader at FranklinCovey—for a powerful conversation on how trust transforms leadership. From growing up as the son of the legendary Stephen R. Covey to leading one of the world’s largest leadership development organizations, Stephen shares his deeply personal and professional journey to discovering trust as the key to unlocking human potential.
Stephen discusses pivotal moments—from his "green and clean" childhood lesson in responsibility to helping companies scale purpose through trust. The episode unpacks the core ideas behind The Speed of Trust and Trust and Inspire, exploring why outdated command-and-control models no longer serve today’s organizations.
Mentions & Resources
The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything - by Stephen M. R. Covey
Smart Trust: Creating Prosperity, Energy, and Joy in a Low-Trust World - by Stephen M. R. Covey
Trust and Inspire - by Stephen M. R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
Guest Bio
Stephen M. R. Covey is The New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust, which has been translated into 22 languages and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. He is co-author of the Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others and Smart Trust.
Stephen brings to his writings the perspective of a practitioner, as he is the former President & CEO of the Covey Leadership Center, where he increased shareholder value by 67 times and grew the company to become the largest leadership development firm in the world.
A Harvard MBA, Stephen co-founded and currently leads FranklinCovey’s Global Speed of Trust Practice. He serves on numerous boards, including the Government Leadership Advisory Council - Partnership for Public Service, and he has been recognized with the lifetime Achievement Award for “Top Thought Leaders in Trust” from the advocacy group, Trust Across America/Trust Around the World.
Stephen is a highly-sought after international speaker, who has taught trust and leadership in 56 countries to business, government, military, education, healthcare, and NGO entities.
Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.