Leadership - We Had to Own the Mistakes
“We Had to Own the Mistakes”
An interview with Howard Schultz
This article is about Harvard Business Review’s interview with Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz. From the article, we can see how and what Howard’s thinking about the leader, and the company. Also he truly answered all the questions that will be inspired most of readers.
The article starts with some brief introduction of after Howard left Starbucks and his return to the Starbucks.
During the interview, although Harvard Business Review asked him some difficult or sensitive questions, he answered honestly. When the company was having some issues, Schultz gathered all the employees and made confession. This must be really hard for him especially person who is in charge of in high position. However according to Howard, after he made confession, it was a very powerful turning point. Schultz says that during the financial crisis, Starbucks had hard time as well. Not only financial crisis but other competitors company’s strategies; for example McDonald offered free coupon for coffee or cheaper but good quality of coffee. Schultz commented that he was little bit devastated because he met some people for looking some answers or tips, however he could not get any answers. Other hands, people who met were asking him questions.
According to Schultz, he says that “The only ingredient that works in this environment is performance… if we don’t perform, either we have the wrong strategy or we don’t deserve to be here. I think we’ve demonstrated that the strategy is right and the balance between profitability and having a social conscience and being a benevolent company will lead to significant long-term value for shareholders.” And also he stated that “You have to be honest and authentic and not hide. The leader today has to demonstrate both transparency and vulnerability, and with that comes truthfulness and humility and obviously the ability to instill confidence in people, and not trough some top-down
An interview with Howard Schultz
This article is about Harvard Business Review’s interview with Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz. From the article, we can see how and what Howard’s thinking about the leader, and the company. Also he truly answered all the questions that will be inspired most of readers.
The article starts with some brief introduction of after Howard left Starbucks and his return to the Starbucks.
During the interview, although Harvard Business Review asked him some difficult or sensitive questions, he answered honestly. When the company was having some issues, Schultz gathered all the employees and made confession. This must be really hard for him especially person who is in charge of in high position. However according to Howard, after he made confession, it was a very powerful turning point. Schultz says that during the financial crisis, Starbucks had hard time as well. Not only financial crisis but other competitors company’s strategies; for example McDonald offered free coupon for coffee or cheaper but good quality of coffee. Schultz commented that he was little bit devastated because he met some people for looking some answers or tips, however he could not get any answers. Other hands, people who met were asking him questions.
According to Schultz, he says that “The only ingredient that works in this environment is performance… if we don’t perform, either we have the wrong strategy or we don’t deserve to be here. I think we’ve demonstrated that the strategy is right and the balance between profitability and having a social conscience and being a benevolent company will lead to significant long-term value for shareholders.” And also he stated that “You have to be honest and authentic and not hide. The leader today has to demonstrate both transparency and vulnerability, and with that comes truthfulness and humility and obviously the ability to instill confidence in people, and not trough some top-down