Case Study: Business Leaders

Howard Schultz

Ebony Steward

Excelsior College

BUS 552

17 May 2016

Introduction

In July of 2007 USA Today newspaper produced an article about some of America’s top business leaders over the years.  In this analysis I will discuss the traits or characteristics most impressed me about a business leader that was name in the article, the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz. I will also discuss why I would work want to work for him, how he has challenged the status quo, identify the personal and business obstacles he has overcame, while putting into consideration the obstacles that I would need to overcome as a business leader myself. Jim Collins, the author of The Good to Great, will be evaluated in this analysis on his a trait that he identified in as a leadership trait which is humility. I will discuss if Schultz has encompassed this trait into his leadership style. Then I will make the effort to conclude whether or not leaders need to exhibit humility and if I have developed humility within my own life when it comes to leadership. I will end the analysis with providing my opinion on the following information on how to better balance of masculine and feminine traits, give information actions can leaders take to discover new business opportunities that exist in other countries or regions around the world, and develop a basis for a leadership training and development program and provide a one sentence objective of the program and its specific features.

Critical Inquiry

        I have chosen Howard Schultz because is known as the one of American’s top most influential business leaders that took over one of the most beloved coffee shops throughout the world in 1981 making it worth $3 billion. I admire a leader that not only focuses on the product of the company, but incorporates his customers as his primary focus. “He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition to America, but he wanted to create a place for human connection, conversation and one that fostered a sense of community…a third place between work and home” (Starbucks, 2016). The leadership traits or characteristics that he possess are integrity to be honest with customers and employees regardless it the company is going through its good or bad times, passion by taking pride in the product and how he treats his staff and customers, effective listener by taking into consideration and using the thoughts of opinions of the staff and customers of what products should be used to continue to produce the best coffee or beverage, and being a team builder because he knew he this was not a my way or the highway type of business and without the help of everyone this company would be nothing. According to Joseph Chris, Schultz has the characteristics of a transformational leadership style. He has identified six traits that has set Schultz from many other leadership in the world.