TGM Classic | Howard Behar | Former Starbucks President on Creating Lasting Impact Through People-First Leadership

What does it truly mean to lead with purpose?

In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks International and a servant leadership icon. Howard shares invaluable lessons on authenticity, vulnerability, and the importance of putting people first.

From navigating insecurities to building a personal mission statement, Howard's insights offer a masterclass in leading with integrity. Discover why patience pays, why persistence matters, and how to align your purpose with your passion. Plus, hear his perspective on long-term thinking in business and the impact of shareholder-driven decision-making.

In this episode, Darius and Howard will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction to Howard Behar

(02:16) Howard's Immigrant Roots and Early Influences

(06:54) Transitioning to Starbucks: The Journey Begins

(10:32) Navigating Exponential Growth at Starbucks

(16:59) Leadership and Building a Strong Team

(21:30) People-Centric Philosophy at Starbucks

(24:51) Partnership Dynamics with Howard Schultz

(28:12) The Essence of Servant Leadership

(31:23) Navigating Economic Challenges

(34:02) The Impact of Public Markets

(39:36) Qualities of Great Leaders

(41:34) Lessons from Experience

Howard Behar is a renowned business leader, author, speaker, and mentor, celebrated for his servant leadership philosophy. As the former President of Starbucks North America and founding President of Starbucks International, he played a pivotal role in the company's growth from 28 stores to over 15,000 across five continents. Howard's leadership principles, like “The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom,” continue to inspire leaders globally. He currently serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards and is the author of It’s Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Leadership from a Life at Starbucks.

Connect with Howard:

Website: http://howardbehar.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar-24ba274/

Twitter: https://x.com/NotAboutCoffee 

Email: hb@howardbehar.com

Contact: 206-9727-776

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine 

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708

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