As Starbucks Employees Seek Union Former President Howard Behar Talks Company Culture and Leadership

TL;DR

Howard Behar shares insights on Starbucks' growth and servant leadership.

Transcript

culture you know it's a funny word because we think it's a program it's not culture is who you are it's what your values are and how those values perform your actions and the decisions you make in your life and it's pretty much that simple so culture is a direct reflection of leadership period you can't fake culture if you're a jerk you know then y... Read More

Key Insights

• Culture is the reflection of leadership and cannot be faked; it is about values and actions that define a company.
• Servant leadership is about serving others, helping them grow, and in turn, growing the organization and business.
• The person who sweeps the floor should choose the broom; empowering employees leads to innovation and growth.
• Recognition and fair pay are crucial for employee satisfaction and retention, as demonstrated by Starbucks' culture.
• Howard Behar emphasizes the importance of listening with compassion and understanding as a key leadership skill.
• Businesses should aim to optimize profits by adding value to the world, rather than just maximizing profits.
• Having a clear set of core values and a mission statement is essential for personal and professional growth.
• Servant leadership is not soft; it requires setting high expectations and achieving performance with people, not on their backs.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Howard Behar's definition of servant leadership?

Servant leadership, according to Howard Behar, is about leaders serving others rather than being served. It involves helping people achieve their personal and professional goals, which in turn helps the organization grow. By focusing on growing people, the organization and business also grow.

Q: How did Starbucks maintain its culture as it grew?

Starbucks maintained its culture by focusing on the importance of people over numbers. Employees could not be fired for missing numbers but could be for mistreating people. This focus on people ensured that the culture of caring and respect was upheld as the company expanded.

Q: What role did recognition play in Starbucks' culture?

Recognition was a significant part of Starbucks' culture. Howard Behar implemented systems such as personalized birthday and anniversary cards for employees and used symbolic gestures like black aprons for coffee masters to acknowledge and appreciate employees' contributions and expertise.

Q: How does Howard Behar view the purpose of businesses?

Howard Behar believes that businesses should optimize profits by adding value to the world rather than merely maximizing profits. He emphasizes that businesses should focus on the well-being of their employees, communities, and the world, ensuring that they contribute positively to society.

Q: What are Howard Behar's six P's for a greater life?

Howard Behar's six P's are Purpose, Passion, Persistence, Patience, Performance, and People. He believes that having a purpose greater than oneself, being passionate, persistent, patient, performing well, and focusing on people are essential for a fulfilling and successful life.

Q: How important is listening in leadership according to Behar?

Listening is a critical skill in leadership for Howard Behar. He believes that leaders must listen with compassion and understanding, not just with their ears but with their whole selves. This allows leaders to connect with and serve their employees effectively, fostering a positive work environment.

Q: What advice does Howard Behar give to those seeking mentors?

Howard Behar advises mentees to be curious, humble, and eager to grow. He emphasizes the importance of having clear core values and a mission statement to guide one's life. Mentees should be open to learning and should not expect mentors to have all the answers but use discernment to apply advice.

Q: What is Howard Behar's perspective on competition?

Howard Behar believes that competing against oneself to be the best version is more important than competing against others. He emphasizes personal growth and development, as focusing on competition can limit potential. Behar encourages setting personal goals and striving to exceed one's own expectations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks, emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and culture in business growth. He believes in empowering employees and treating them with respect and dignity.

• Behar shares personal stories and principles, such as the significance of recognition and fair pay, to illustrate how Starbucks achieved its massive growth and employee satisfaction.

• He encourages leaders to focus on optimizing profits by adding value to the world and stresses the importance of having a clear mission and core values to guide personal and professional life.