Synopses & Reviews
aAt Starbucks, the coffee has to be excellent, from the sourcing and growing to the roasting and brewing. The vision has to be inspiring and meaningful. Our finances have to be in order. But without people, we have nothing. With people, we have something even bigger than coffee.a
During his many years as a senior executive at Starbucks, Howard Behar helped establish the Starbucks culture, which stresses the importance of people over profits. He coached hundreds of leaders at every level and helped the company grow into a world- renowned brand. Now he reveals the ten principles that guided his leadershipaand not one of them is about coffee.
Behar starts with the idea that if you regard employees and customers as human beings, everything else will take care of itself. If you think of your staff as people (not labor costs) they will achieve results beyond what is thought possible. And if you think of your customers as people you serve (not sources of revenue) youall make a deep connection with them, and theyall come back over and over.
This approach has been integral to Starbucks from the start, and remains so today. Behar shares inside stories of turning points in the companyas history as it fought to hang on to this culture while growing exponentially. He discusses the importance of building trust, facing challenges, daring to dream, and other key principles, such as:
a Know Who You Are: Wear One Hat
When organizations are clear about their values, purpose, and goals, they find the energy and passion to do great things.
a Think Independently: The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom
We need to get rid of rulesareal and imaginedaandencourage the independent thinking of others and ourselves.
a Be Accountable: Only the Truth Sounds Like the Truth
No secrets, no lies of omission, no hedging and dodging. Take responsibility and say what needs to be said, with care and respect.
a Take Action: Think Like a Person of Action and Act Like a Person of Thought
Find the sweet spot of passion, purpose, and persistence. aItas all about the peoplea isnat an idea, itas an action. Feel, do, think. Find the balance, but act.
Behar believes that as work becomes less hierarchical and as the world economy becomes more and more about relationships and connecting, the principles of personal leadership are more important than ever. This book will show you the way.
Review
"A book about how to succeed anywhere-not just in business."
-Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley
"The most down-to-earth, in-the-trenches, straightforward, and utterly useful leadership book I've ever read."
-James A. Autry, author of The Servant Leader
"The tips inside are intelligent, heartfelt, tested and honed in reality. Bravo."
-David Allen, author of Getting Things Done
Synopsis
A top Starbucks veteran shares inside stories of turning points in the company's history, including how it fought to hang on to its unique culture while growing exponentially. He discusses the importance of clarity of purpose, independent thinking, accountability, and more.
Synopsis
During his many years as a senior executive at Starbucks, Howard Behar helped establish the Starbucks culture, which stresses people over profits. He coached hundreds of leaders at every level and helped the company grow into a world-renowned brand. Now he reveals the ten principles that guided his leadership-and not one of them is about coffee. Behar shows that if you think of your staff as people (not labor costs) they will achieve amazing results. He discusses the importance of building trust, telling hard truths, thinking independently, and more. And he shares inside stories of key turning points for Starbucks, as it fought to hang on to its culture while growing exponentially.
About the Author
Howard Behar joined Starbucks as a senior executive in 1989, when it had just twenty-eight stores. His positions have included executive vice president of sales and operations, president of Starbucks International, and president of Starbucks North America. He has also served on the company's board of directors since 1996.
Janet Goldstein is a publishing consultant who has worked with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and nonprofits.