While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the ongoing commitment and responsibility that comes after the service of others has concluded.
Howard Schultz's quote highlights the idea that once individuals or teams complete their work or service, it is not the end but rather the start of a new phase where responsibility and accountability rest on those who remain. It serves as a reminder that true leadership involves embracing the duty to continue supporting and guiding others, ensuring that their contributions lead to lasting impact and growth.
In practice
This quote can be used during a farewell speech to express appreciation for someoneβs service while emphasizing the ongoing responsibilities of their team.
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.
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.
Starbucks represents something beyond a cup of coffee.
Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic.
Great leaders state out loud what they intend to do and in doing so, they get things done.
My child, you are going to be a great king; do not imitate me in the taste I have had for building, or in that I have had for war; try, on the contrary, to be at peace with your neighbors.
Others may fashion more smoothly images of bronze (I for one believe it), evoke living faces from marble, plead causes better, trace with a wand the wanderings of the heavens and foretell the rising of stars. But you, Roman, remember to rule the peoples with power (these will be your arts); impose the habit of peace, spare the vanquished and war down the proud!
Look to Africa, for there a king will be crowned.
Learn to help people with more than just their jobs: help them with their lives.
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