I am a life-long learner and hold to the philosophy that I can learn something from everyone.  With that said, some books are better than others and every once in a while I come across a really great one.  It’s Not About the Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks by Howard Behar is one of those books.  In fact, I would reccomend this book as one of the top 5 I have read this year. Howard Behar is not only the author of It’s Not About The Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks. He is also the former president of Starbucks Coffee Company International. He started working at Starbucks in 1989 when the company had just begun to venture outside the Northwest region. Initially serving as vice president of sales and operations, he grew the retail business from 28 stores to more than 400 stores by the time he was named president of Starbucks Coffee International in 1995. Under Behar’s leadership, Starbucks opened its first location in Tokyo in 1996. Following this historic opening, over the next three years he introduced the Starbucks brand across Asia and the United Kingdom. After a two-year hiatus, he returned to Starbucks as President of Starbucks North America until his retirement in January 2003. He has been a director of the company since 1996.

Here’s a synopsis of the books fantastic points:

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.

Here are some notes from a seminar I went to with Zig Ziglar that I thought I’d share.

1. Leadership starts with you. 
2. If you are to manage others, you must be able to manage yourself. 
3. People perform best when they are appreciated. 
4. As we have all been created by the great Creator, we all have the power to be creative. 
5. Attitude is value. Leaders listen to those they lead.
6. Leaders don’t just make decisions, they provide positive solutions.

Balanced goals are important.  List your top five goals.  Consider them and your daily activities.  Are they balanced? 

Leaders don’t just make decisions they provide positive solutions.  List two positive solutions that you can implement today.

Everyone wants to feel important.  What can you do to value those that you work and live with? 

Performing well at work is greatly influenced by a leader’s life at home.  This is your “home court advantage.”  List three things you can do to improve your home court advantage.

Good people stay in organizations where they can grow, where they are respected and where they feel appreciated.  What are you doing to promote these characteristics in your organization?  List five people you should thank, or show appreciation for the work they are doing.  Now tell them.

They way people treat each other internally in an organization is the way they will treat people outside their organization.  What can you do to improve how your organization works together and treats one another?

I had the amazing privilege of seeing John Wooden speak on Winning and Team building, I thought I’d pass along the short notes from my Life Journal to you -  

John Wooden Leadership Legacy: The Foundation for Competitive Greatness

Never try to be better than others, but never stop trying to be the best you can be. 

Success- peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction knowing that you did your best. 

Coach Wooden’s pyramid of success includes: friendship, loyalty, cooperation, discipline, alert, ambition, intension, condition, skill, team spirit, poise, confidence, competitiveness, patience, faith

• How do you define success?  How do you measure success of those that work with you?

• Friendship, loyalty and cooperation are the basis of the pyramid.  How do you rate yourself at these basics?  What can you do to improve them?

• The second tier is discipline, being alert, ambition and intension.  Would those that work with you agree that you have these characteristics?  What could you do to strengthen them?

• The third tier includes conditioning, skill, and team spirit.  What are you doing to improve in these areas?  How are you building team spirit?

• When a person has these in place they can possess poise, confidence and a people competitive nature.  How do you rate yourself in these attributes?  How can you build them in your team?

• When all these are in place, at the top of your personal pyramid is patience and faith.  What are three things you can do to improve you focus in these areas?