My mother taught me something at a young age - she said 'you are the company you keep.' To define yourself by some label or some level of resources - that's pretty shallow.
Interpretation
The people you surround yourself with influence who you are.
This quote emphasizes the importance of the company we choose, suggesting that our relationships can define our identity and character. Howard Schultz conveys that rather than identifying oneself through superficial labels or material possessions, it is far more meaningful to consider the values and qualities of those we associate with, as they play a crucial role in shaping our sense of self and integrity.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one could quote this to emphasize the importance of positive relationships.
The rules of engagement around building a brand have changed significantly over the past 10 to 15 years. Where companies at one time could spread their message through traditional marketing, consumers now seek an enduring emotional connection with the companies they patronize. The foundation of that connection is the most important characteristic of building a world-class brand: trust. Trust with your people and trust with your customers.
The future of America is not an entitlement. We have been given a treasure chest of gifts and opportunities, but some people are being left behind, and success is not sustainable unless it is shared.
Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and more money on training our people than advertising.
While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!
In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity or you can pick yourself up and say listen, I have to be responsible for myself.
When I first discovered in the early 1980s the Italian espresso bars in my trip to Italy, the vision was to re-create that for America - a third place that had not existed before. Starbucks re-created that in America in our own image; a place to go other than home or work. We also created an industry that did not exist: specialty coffee.
As prevalent as loneliness is, many people don't recognize that people that they know may very well be suffering from loneliness. It's important for many reasons, one of which is that it has a profound impact on health.
A difference of taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.
The act of contributing to the lives of others is its own reward. A servant's heart is a greater motivator than financial gain.
We have to consciously study how to be tender with each other until it becomes a habit because what was native has been stolen from us, the love of Black women for each other.
The closest bonds we will ever know are bonds of grief. The deepest community one of sorrow.
Once you have access to key people in an organization, if you go into a meeting with enemy images of those people - then you are not going to connect.
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