Leadership Analysis of Howard Schultz: Lead and Influence Report

This report delves into the leadership of Howard Schultz, examining his significant impact on Starbucks. It analyzes his key leadership traits, including self-confidence, enthusiasm, maturity, energy, and charismatic personality, which have been instrumental in the success of the company. The report highlights specific instances, such as the company's response to an employee's death, to illustrate his effective decision-making and commitment to employee well-being. It also references the leadership styles and qualities that have distinguished him from other leaders. This report emphasizes the importance of effective communication, a charismatic personality, and the ability to inspire and direct a large workforce. The analysis concludes that Schultz set a high standard for aspiring leaders during his tenure, leaving a lasting impact on the organization.

Running head: LEAD AND INFLUENCE
Lead and Influence
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Analysis:.................................................................................................................................2
Explanation:...........................................................................................................................3
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................3
Reference:..................................................................................................................................4

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Introduction:
Howard Schultz is a renowned leader of the world who has brought revolutionary
changes in Starbucks by his efficient leadership skills and capabilities. He is considered as
one of the key success factor of the organization (starbucks.in 2017). The following report
has articulated his several traits that have led him to secure the position of the most effective
leaders in the world.
Analysis:
Effective leaders consist of several efficient traits that put great impact on their
subordinates. Traits of the leaders play major role in their success. In this scenario, Howard
Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks possesses many traits that distinguish him from the other
leaders. There are two types of traits. One type of traits can be learned by a person. On the
other hand, there are some traits that are inherent. Both type of traits are highly required to
become an efficient leader (Rowe 2014). The leadership style of Howard Schultz is the
combination of both the traits. Some key features of his leadership that lead Starbucks to
become one of the leading business organizations of the world are:
Self-confident: Howard is full of confidence. He has a clear idea about the vision mission of
Starbucks and he designs all his plans accordingly. His self-confidence helps him to motivate
his team leaders (Snell et al. 2017).
Enthusiasm: Howard is capable of maintaining enthusiastic environment within the
organization. It is one of the key factors that help him to guide his subordinates towards the
right direction Snell et al. 2017.

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Maturity: Howard is psychologically mature enough to lead a leading business organization.
He has taken several notable initiatives during his leadership era that has proven his maturity
and efficient decision-making capabilities (Lephart and Kleiner 2015).
Energy: Howard is full of energy and actively participates in all the function of the
organization. It influences his teammates to perform accordingly.
Charismatic Personality: Howard has a charismatic and influential personality that has the
potential to encourage his employees. It enhances their commitment level towards the
organization and encourages them to work together to earn the organizational goal (Lephart
and Kleiner 2015).
Explanation:
According to me, leaders must have some key qualities, such as- effective
communication skills, charismatic personality that influences his teammates and organization
towards the right direction. Howard Schultz has the qualities that have enhanced his
capabilities. Otherwise, it is hard to operate a leading business organization that preserves a
huge workforce with 8000 employees. In 1997, Starbucks faces a massive crisis when one of
their employee was killed during robbery. CEO of the organization has taken a remarkable
step to deal with the situation and save the brand image of the organization. The whole
authority of the organization has stood by the side of the family of that employee and
provided all kind of monetary and moral support. This has brightened up the brand image of
the company. At the same time, it stimulates the engagement level of other employees
towards the organization, as they realized that the organization is concerned about the well-
being of its employees. It is an exemplary example of innovative leadership quality. Thus, I
believe Howard has set a milestone for aspiring leaders by his practices.

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Conclusion:
As per the discussion, it can be stated that charismatic personality and effective
decision making skill of Howard has distinguished him from other leaders. During his
leadership period, Howard has left no stone unturned to take his organization to the next level
towards the success. Although, he has been replaced by David Viniar in 2013, he has set an
example for his future successors.

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Reference:
starbucks.in. 2017. starbucks.in. [online] Available at: http://www.starbucks.in [Accessed 10
Aug. 2017].
Rowe, W.G., 2014. Is Nonprofit Leadership Different from Business or Government
Leadership?. The Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, 4(2).
Lephart, T.S. and Kleiner, B., 2015. Excellence In Team Leadership. Journal of International
Diversity, 2015(4).
Snell, S.A., Snell, S.A., Lemley, A., Lemley, A., Snell, S.A., Snell, S.A., Yemen, G. and
Yemen, G., 2017. Starbucks: Schultz Back in the Brew. Darden Business Publishing Cases,
pp.1-18.