Sean Covey Draws Big Crowd

More than 500 people crowded into the Coronado School of the Arts theater Tuesday to hear author and motivational speaker Sean Covey, whose The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens has sold over four million copies.  

Based on his father Stephen’s 1989 book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Sean Covey's book aims to help kids navigate the tough issues they face such as resisting peer pressure, making friends and building self-confidence.

Author meet-and-greets don’t usually generate much buzz, but this one brought out a host of community leaders, including school board trustees and City Council members. It also sold a lot of books.

Bay Books had a table and did a brisk business. 

“This is the best one we’ve been to,” said Connie Lefever, Coronado Middle School's librarian, who staffed the table with Erin Lockhart, an events coordinator.

“The community has been very supportive,” Lockhart added.

Many of those present already had read the elder Covey’s book and applied its principles.  “They’ve helped me a lot with setting goals and sticking to them,” Carol Halvorson said. She brought the teen book for her 10-year-old daughter Reilly hoping “to give her a good start.”

David and Charlotte Hunt were visiting from Prescott, Ariz. and saw the flier for the event. He is a middle school counselor and has been a long-time fan of Covey's father. “It’s made a difference in my life,” he said. “I use it in my work all the time.”

Others knew the name, but little else. “I’ve heard of the dad,” Blake Ellis said. He brought his daughters to hear Sean Covey. “I think it will be good for the kids,” he said.

The event was sponsored by Coronado SAFE. The organization will base its Teen Talks series on The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens.