Howard Behar: Former Starbucks President Reveals How Starbucks Grew to 15,000 Stores | E272

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha

Howard Behar was the North American president of Starbucks for more than two decades. During his tenure, the franchise grew from 28 stores to more than 15,000 across five continents, making the company into a worldwide phenomenon. In today’s episode, Howard and Hala will discuss how he became the “ultimate servant leader” and why you should always put people first in business.

Howard Behar is a speaker, advisor, mentor, and bestselling author. For 21 years Behar led Starbucks’s domestic business as President of North America, and was the founding President of Starbucks International, opening the first store outside of North America in Japan. He served on the Starbucks Board of Directors for twelve years before retiring. He is also the author of It’s Not About the Coffee and The Magic Cup.

In this episode, Hala and Howard will discuss:

- How Howard got his foot in the door at Starbucks

- Why Howard doesn’t like the word customer

- Putting people first

- Why you should always say yes

- Howard’s leadership philosophies

- Why a leader should wear one hat

- How to not get stuck in inaction

- And other topics…

Howard Behar’s career in business spans over 50 years, all in consumer-oriented businesses, most recently as a speaker, advisor, mentor, and bestselling author. His wisdom, generosity, and level of integrity have had a profound impact on thousands of people who have been touched by his example, books, and speaking.

Behar is known for such memorable lessons as “The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom” and “Only the Truth Sounds Like the Truth.” For 21 years Behar led Starbucks’s domestic business as President of North America, and was the founding President of Starbucks International, opening the first store outside of North America in Japan. He served on the Starbucks Board of Directors for twelve years before retiring.

Resources Mentioned:

Howard’s Website: http://howardbehar.com/

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

Howard’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hpbehar

Howard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotAboutCoffee

Howard’s Book, It's Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Putting People First from a Life at Starbucks: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-Coffee-Starbucks/dp/1591842727

Howard’s book, The Magic Cup: A Business Parable About a Leader, a Team, and the Power of Putting People and Values First: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Cup-Business-Parable-Putting/dp/1455538973/

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