Howard Schultz

“You can't build any kind of organization if you're not going to surround yourself with people who have experience and skill base beyond your own.”

“Don't be threatened by people smarter than you.”

“In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart.”

“Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned.”

“When you're surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.”

“Risk more than others think is safe. Dream more than others think is practical.”

“I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future.”

“Success is best when it's shared.”

“Starbucks represents something beyond a cup of coffee.”

“Grow with discipline. Balance intuition with rigor. Innovate around the core. Don't embrace the status quo.”

“I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.”

“Mass advertising can help build brands, but authenticity is what makes them last. If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand.”

“The hardest thing about being a leader is demonstrating or showing vulnerability... When the leader demonstrates vulnerability, other people are going to do it, and it's that vulnerability that builds trust.”

“I think the currency of leadership is transparency.”

“Whatever you do, don't play it safe. Don't do things the way they've always been done. Don't try to fit the system. If you do what's expected of you, you'll never accomplish more than others expect.”

“I am not a fan of incremental change. I am a fan of transformation.”

“We have a responsibility to be a company that is a positive force in the communities we serve.”

“You must be brutally honest with yourself and believe that you can do it.”