Today, I heard Howard Behar (former president of Starbucks Coffee North America and Starbucks International) speak to a group of coaches via conference call. You may know about him already or read the book he recently pubilshed called It’s Not About The Coffee .
Some of the highlights of the talk:
* Behar stressed the importance of values and being true to yourself. He believes that’s one of the core secrets of success (as do I!!)
* He talked about expanding Starbucks into locations such as Tokyo and not really knowing how to do that at first. Yet, he INSPIRED people to help him since they connected with him on a human level. They saw his desire to help people and wanted to help him in return. Great lesson in life. People will help you (and want to help you) if you can find a way to connect with them on a very basic, human level. I preach this to my clients constantly. If you’re hoping to break into a new career, for example, look for someone else in that field and ask them to help or mentor you. The trick is to INSPIRE them to want to help you. I teach my clients how to do that.
* The job of a great leader, in Behar’s opinion, is to constantly (DAILY) remind the ‘partners’ (that’s what Starbucks calls their employees) about the values of the organization and to live those values on a regular basis.
* In addition, he talked about ‘servant leadership’ and making sure he wasn’t just leading his team to accomplish the company’s goals…but to also lead them to accomplish their own personal goals. I love that!
* He also taked about “inner knowing” and the importance of listening to your intuition (although he didn’t use that exact word).
* Finally, Behar said he was really in the people business and his true desire was to build better humans…so to speak…not just build better coffee.
Is this refreshing or what? No wonder Starbucks is so successful! I don’t even drink coffee yet I love that place. It’s a cool place to hang out with your laptop and write while drinking a healthy Odwalla smoothie (smart, Starbucks, to offer options for non-coffee folks like me) I think people like it there since it has a good vibe. The employess seem genuinely happy and the whole place is usually buzzing with energy. Is it the caffeine or is it simply the happy/relaxed environment? At any rate, I believe customers are attracted to businesses that feel good to them.
How can you apply this all to your own life, even if you don’t run a business?
First of all, get clear about WHO you are and the life you want to live. KNOW your values and make sure your life is a reflection of those values.
“Lead” yourself by constantly reminding yourself of your values (the same way Behar reminded his empployees on a daily basis). We all need reminders and remembering what you value is KEY. Write down a few of your values and frame them by your bathroom sink. READ the list while brushing your teeth each morning. It’s a very simple way to ground yourself each day.
Think beyond yourself and try to help others in some way. I’ve always said that the key to uncovering your ideal career is to think about how you can serve others. What’s a gift you have that other people could beneift from greatly? Share that gift with the world and design a career around it. Too many people think about how they can make $ instead of how they can make a difference. But, look at Starbucks as a shining example….when you focus on making a difference you can make a lot of $.
Check out this list from the book and pick up a copy for yourself. All net proceeds from the book are being dontated to a couple of causes close to Behar’s heart:
10 Principles of Personal Leadership - from Howard Behar’s book It’s Not About The Coffee
1. Know Who You Are: Wear One Hat
Our success is directly related to our clarity and honesty about who we are, who we’re not, where we want to go, and how we’re going to get there. When organizations are clear about their values, purpose, and goals, they find the energy and passion to do great things.
2. Know Why You’re Here: Do It Because It’s Right, Not Because It’s Right for Your Resume
The path to success comes from doing things for the right reasons. You can’t succeed if you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish and without everyone being aligned with the goal. Look for purpose and passion in yourself and the people you lead. If they’re not there, do something.
3. Think Independently: The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom
People are not “assets,” they are human beings who have the capacity to achieve results beyond what is thought possible. We need to get rid of rules—real and imagined—and encourage the independent thinking of others and ourselves.
4. Build Trust: Care, like You Really Mean It
Caring is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength, and it can’t be faked—within an organization, with the people we serve, or in the local or global community. Without trust and caring we’ll never know what could have been possible. Without freedom from fear, we can’t dream and we can’t reach our potential.
5. Listen for the Truth: The Walls Talk
Put the time into listening, even to what’s not said, and amazing results will follow. You’ll know what you’re customers want, you’ll know why the passion is missing from your organization, you’ll learn solutions to problems that have been sitting there waiting to be picked.
6. 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.
7. Take Action: Think like a Person of Action, and Act like a Person of Thought
Find the sweet spot of passion, purpose, and persistence. “It’s all about the people” isn’t an idea, it’s an action. Feel, think, do. Find the balance, but act.
8. Face Challenge: We Are Human Beings First
Use all the principles to guide you during the hardest times. If the challenge is too big, if you’re stuck, take smaller bites. But remember to put people first, and you’ll find the guidance you need.
9. Practice Leadership: The Big Noise and the Still, Small Voice
Leading can be the noisy, “I’m here!” kind of thing. But don’t ever forget that leaders are just ordinary human beings. Don’t let the noise crowd out the truth. Listen to your still, small voice. Let quiet be your guide.
10. Dare to Dream: Say “Yes,” the Most Powerful Word in the World
Big dreams mean big goals, big hopes, big joys. Say “yes” and enjoy all that you are doing, and help others to do the same.