Why the Starbucks Store Design Changed in the 2000s

The Starbucks store design on display

What makes the Starbucks store design stand out? When did Starbucks change the aesthetic of its stores? In the 2000s, Starbucks went through a technological and aesthetic overhaul. In addition to receiving semiautomatic coffee machines and laptops, Starbucks stores also got a new look for a cozier atmosphere. Here’s how former CEO Howard Schultz rationalizes the decisions behind these innovative changes.

Authority vs. Leadership: Why They Aren’t the Same Thing

Two groups of people in business suits representing authority vs. leadership

Are authority and leadership the same thing? What makes someone a leader without having a position of authority? Clay Scroggins believes that God gave humanity the responsibility to lead. Unfortunately, you may neglect this responsibility because you mistakenly believe that you must hold a position of authority to be a leader. Let’s look at authority vs. leadership to show why you don’t need to be in a high position to take charge.

What Is Self-Leadership? The 3 Ways to Lead Yourself

A woman embracing self-leadership and looking confidently at herself in the mirror

What is self-leadership? How can you lead yourself to greatness? The one thing you can control is yourself, Clay Scroggins says. This is the most essential kind of leadership to embrace, as you’ll always have authority over your own behavior, regardless of your position in an organization. Below, we’ll explore a few types of self-leadership you should embrace.

The Starbucks Business Model After 3 Turnaround Strategies

A Starbucks sign that represents Starbucks's business model

What’s the Starbucks business model? What business principles did Howard Schultz bring to Starbucks? As CEO, Schultz made a multitude of decisions that helped Starbucks survive the financial crisis. In total, he made three turnaround strategies: overhauling Starbucks’ management, improving its financial standing, and enhancing the coffeehouse experience. Let’s discuss these decisions and how they left Starbucks in good standing by the end of 2009.

Perception in Leadership: 2 Ways to Shape Your Thinking

A female business leader looking through a magnifying glass to embrace perception in leadership

Why is perception in leadership important? How can you look at the bigger picture in a corporation? Leading your perception means taking an active role in shaping how you think about things. This is an important axis of leadership because your perception of a situation influences how you react to it. Below, we’ll discuss the two main ways you can lead your perception: taking a big-picture view and practicing critical thinking.

Starbucks’s Management Strategy Under Howard Schultz

A Starbucks employee holding a coffee cup as part of the Starbucks management strategy

What was Starbucks’s management strategy after Howard Schultz’s return? Why did the company’s management need to be overhauled? After returning to Starbucks, one of Schultz’s initial turnaround strategies was to completely overhaul the company’s management. There were three major changes Schultz made to accomplish this strategy: hiring new executives, securing emotional buy-in from executives and managers, and reaffirming key values in Starbucks’ management strategy. Continue reading to delve into these three major changes.

How to Practice Critical Thinking to Improve Leadership Skills

A woman who knows how to practice critically thinking, with a lightbulb and question marks around her head.

Do you know how to practice critical thinking? Why do leaders need to have critical thinking skills? Every leader needs critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their back pocket. Critical thinking helps you identify ways to improve the situations and organizations you’re involved in. Keep reading to learn how to practice critical thinking to become a leader among your peers.

How Howard Schultz’s Leadership Style Saved Starbucks

Former CEO of Starbucks Howard Schultz smiling

What is Howard Schultz like as a leader? How did Schultz help Starbucks out of a rut? In 2008, Howard Schultz made his official return to Starbucks. In his first few months as CEO, he used two strategies to project a reassuring image to both internal and external stakeholders: strong communication and timely action. Let’s look at these two elements of Howard Schultz’s leadership style.

Identity and Leadership: Discovering Your Core Beliefs at Work

A woman in business attire conflicted about identity and leadership, looking at a wall that reads "Who am I?"

Do people look up to you at work? What type of identity do you have as a leader? To be a role model to others, you need to have a firm grasp of what your own beliefs and values are. Clay Scroggins says that understanding this connection between identity and leadership can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Continue reading to discover what your leadership identity is.

Howard Schultz: Starbucks’s Savior During Financial Trouble

Howard Schultz, Starbucks's former CEO, smiling on stage

Why did Howard Schultz return to Starbucks in the mid-2000s? How did Schultz make a smooth transition back into the CEO role? During a grave position at Starbucks, Schultz stepped in as CEO for the second time in 2008 to steer the company in a better direction. In his book Onward, he discusses his motivation for reprising his role as CEO and the leadership strategies he used to restore stakeholders’ trust in Starbucks. Discover more about the process behind Schultz’s return to Starbucks.