Skip to content

Leader Quote by Howard Schultz

“It is not the fault of the baristas working behind the counter. It is the responsibility of the leadership team to keep our culture alive, growing and thriving.” quote by Howard Schultz
Download Open image
““It is not the fault of the baristas working behind the counter. It is the responsibility of the leadership team to keep our culture alive, growing and thriving.””

Howard Schultz

About This Quote

Source Speech: Starbucks Leadership Summit, 2015

Leaders must actively nurture company culture, not blame front‑line staff for its decline.

In simple terms: Leadership shapes culture, not baristas.

Key Takeaway

Invest in culture‑building actions.

Themes

leadership culture responsibility

Mood

inspirational strategic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • training programs
  • performance reviews
  • brand initiatives

Key Concepts

organizational behavior employee engagement

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can leaders measure cultural health?
  • What actions best reinforce desired values?
A Different Perspective

Culture change is slow and may meet resistance.

3.2 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Howard Schultz

Explore all 252 Howard Schultz quotes

More Leader quotes

Browse all 6,884 Leader quotes