I wrote my first book on communication and leadership about ten years ago. Howard Schultz was my first interview. In a two-hour phone conversation Schultz used the word “passion” dozens of times. I had an epiphany when I reviewed the transcript. Not once had he used “passion” and “coffee” in the same sentence. You see, Schultz likes coffee, but he’s passionate about “building a company that treats people with dignity and respect.” He said coffee is what Starbucks makes as a product, “but that’s not the business we’re in.” Ten years after my interview Schultz is still communicating the same message and using guiding principles to inspire his employees and excite his customers.
A leader I know and much admire is Howard Behar, the former president of Starbucks North AmericaHoward Schultz's compassion and empathy as a leader and Starbucks International. Howard tells about the time 14 years ago this month when he Howard Schultz Video Samplereceived a call in the middle of the night at his home in Seattle alerting him that three Starbucks employees at the Georgetown store in Washington, D.C. had been shot and killed, including an 18-year who had just recently begun working at Starbucks, his first job. Behar immediately called Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ CEO, who was in New York City at the time.
What Schultz didn’t do, says a lot about his character. He didn’t immediately call Starbucks’ public relations people or lawyers. Instead, Schultz headed to Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he spoke with the police then proceeded to the store to get the addresses of the three murdered Starbucks employees. He went to each of their homes, told their families he was sorry and shared in their tears.
Howard Schultz’s empathy and compassion spoke loudly to Howard Behar, a leader who has a huge heart. Behar left his former employer and joined Starbucks in part because the previous CEO he worked for advised him he “shouldn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.” Schultz was the type of leader Behar wanted to work for, a leader he could respect and admire because of his courageous and compassionate heart, a leader he wanted to give his best efforts to serve.
Howard Schultz’s heart was broken. He showed courage by expressing the grief he felt. Doing so contributed to helping the victims’ families, friends and colleagues. As awful as grieving the loss of a loved one or friend is, it’s far worse to grieve alone.