I want to thank everyone for their comments and emails to my last post, “Instant Controversy” - the introduction of Starbucks instant coffee.
I agree with most of the points raised, but perhaps we’ve all missed something important. Sometimes when a team is down, what you need is a win to build momentum. Starbucks has been battered by a string of losses. Jobs have been slashed and close to a 1000 stores closed. For those who remain, trust has been broken. Morale is at a historic low.
I’m not saying that the introduction of an instant coffee will bring back the magic, but it could serve as a rallying point for the people who make up Starbucks.
What Schultz needs to do is believe in his people once again, because it’s their creativity and hard work that’s given Starbucks the success it’s enjoyed. Howard Behar, one of Starbucks’ original thought leaders, often shared the belief that a great leader creates an environment where people can bring their “souls to work”. Just as a sports team can’t rely upon a single point or guard to carry the game, it’s the core and the motivation of the entire team that matters.
"The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to help people to think more highly of themselves." - J. Carla Northcott
So when Schultz talks about getting back to the core, he should remember that the core is the people. And the people are the team.
Or as Howard Behar, also said…..It’s not about the coffee.
Great brands deserve great leaders.
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