Each week through the 2022 season, we’ll take a look at an interesting nugget through the Hawks’ media guide.
The Eagles PR interns fill in the little quirks nicely in the media guide, and they’re a great way to get to know the players behind the helmets.
This week, we interview the rookie catcher/returning man, whose famous grandfather, Stephen R. Covey, is the author of numerous self-help books, including the bestseller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, The book has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.
I: What was your upbringing like? When did you become aware of his influence?
Covey: There were several different times. We’ve had, quote unquote, fireside, growing up. He would teach his book or his principles with the grandkids and his children and I remember always hating to meet them because they were so long. Now I look back and think, ‘If only I could go back…’ because he died when I was about 15 years old. We had a great relationship, but it wasn’t until after his death that I began to really understand everything he taught and wrote. But honestly, getting to know him after death was pretty cool.
I: Yes, it’s fun. Because you were underage when he passed away.
Covey: completely. But I remember the first time I really realized who he was was when I was traveling in Europe. I was only 12 years old. There’s like six or seven times someone will see my last name, whether it’s when we check into a hotel or a taxi driver or whatever, and they’ll see the name Covey, and they’ll say, ‘Like the author? We went to Germany, London and Paris, and then I realized, ‘Wow, my grandfather had a huge impact on a lot of people. ’ But everything he taught and everything he wrote, he was. He never claimed any of these principles as his own. He just put them together in a formula. That’s what’s great about him, is that he’s so humble. He never claimed it was my material. He just said it was something I built from what I found, which I think is a very humble approach.
I: Do you have more appreciation for it now?
Covey: Absolutely. 100% of. I have prepared his books several times, trying to experience them. In particular, “seek first to understand, then to be understood”. This is my favorite of the seven habits. I don’t know if you’ve read or remembered it, but it’s one of the seven habits. No. 5. Seek to understand before being understood. My grandpa said it was the hardest to practice, so I’ll try this. It helps with everything, just a general principle. Frustrated in the situation I was in, whatever it was, when you really seek to really understand and listen with the intention of understanding rather than answering. you know what I mean?
I: of course can.
Covey: It’s easy to listen with the intention of answering rather than understanding. love him. miss him.
I: Do you have a special copy of one of his books?
Covey: My dad has one and I use his. I mean, my dad has the same name as him. Mr Stephen Covey. My dad sort of carried on his legacy, writing a few books of his own.
I: Is that where it ends?
Covey: I have no idea. We will wait and see. I only do things like that when I’m inspired or called to do them. Because that’s what they are. It’s not like they grew up wanting to write. They don’t do it until they feel they have something to share. But I just want people to know about his personal life. Because he is what you want him to be.
I: How does he personally compare to the man who wrote the book?
Covey: Well, number one, does he like to break the stereotype that businessmen are supposed to be stupid. He’s like the dumbest guy you’ll ever meet in your life. He’d meet with the President of the United States to train him or something, and he’d have these dentures and wigs on. That’s why he and I have always had a good relationship because I’m a prankster and he’s a prankster. Even on this team, I feel like I’m a lot of people’s comedian because I’m kind of small and stupid. But I learned it from my grandpa. You’d be in this very serious business situation and he’d play a prank on someone.
I: I like. Thank you bro.
Covey: Yes, absolutely.
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