Howard Schultz was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company named Starbucks in the US. He had endeavored to tirelessly lead the company to an admirable and spectacular growth levels (Alice, 26). This was not a mean achievement on his side and did not come easily. He successfully combined various traits that he then cultivated into desirable principles that he managed to reflect in his style of leadership. The various principles that were reflected in Howard Schultz’s style of leadership are as discussed below.
Howard Schultz had clearly shown that he was compassionate and empathetic to his employees at various instances. The most notable experience that showed these principles is when he was informed of a tragedy that had just occurred at Georgetown store in Washington D.C where assailants gunned down three employees killing them instantly (Blake & Green, 43). At the time of this event, Howard Schultz was in New York and was informed of the incident by an employee named Howard Behar. He took up the responsibility himself of tracking down the addresses of these felled employees to notify their families of the sad incidence. He moaned with them in an attempt to help the grieving families overcome their sorrows. He stated that he was sorry for the loss, something a number of the CEOs would not attempt to do. This incidence showed elements of the principle of empathy and compassion in Howard Schultz style of leadership.
Another principle that comes out in Howard Schultz’s leadership style is the principle of courage. The death incidence seriously broke his heart as it was a loss to him too. He showed elements of courage when he decided to openly express his grief on the sudden death of his employees. This he did in order to help the families, colleagues and friends of the dead employees to overcome their grief too. Either, he showed that he was an inspirational and passionate leader (Jensen & Schultz, 98). This clearly manifests itself in the manner in which he handled the death incident coupled with his passion and work ethics that later inspired Howard Behar to quit his earlier job so as to join Starbucks where Howard Schultz was the CEO. Behar had admired his traits and was satisfied that Howard Schultz was indeed the type of leader he had wanted to work for as he respected his sense of passion and inspiration. Howard Schultz also led from the front always and more especially during hard times. He also had a heart that cared and served his fellows.
In conclusion, therefore, Howard Schultz managed to apply the basic principles in his leadership over the years where he influenced his employees making them give their best towards the success of the organization (Smith & Christopher, 52). This he achieved through aligning the employee’s general behavior with those of his by inspiring and sustaining them for the purposes of growing the organization.
The leadership style of Howard Schultz is vital to my personal leadership. It gives me important things to consider for the success of my company. Howard Schultz offers a leadership style that can be emulated by many leaders. Important lesson that I have learnt is that all everybody should be treated as partner. I will now employ this in my company. My leadership will also ensure that the community is benefiting through initiation of various programs. The analysis is tied to my personal leadership in various ways. The leadership of Howard has ensures that everyone is satisfied. This is similar to my leadership. In my case, I use transformational leadership style where everybody’s opinion matters. In incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility that was lacking in my leadership, I will be able to make my company among the best in the region.