Mweene 1
Asha Mweene
Professor Clark Webb
Ethical Leadership
22nd February 2023
Ethical Business Leader : Howard Schultz
The success of an organization is dependent on its leadership. An ethical business leader is someone who is committed to upholding moral and ethical principles in their enterprise and who leads by example. In today's business environment, ethical leadership is more important than ever. Business leaders that uphold ethics serve as role models for how organizations can operate with honesty, decency, and transparency. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks,
is the subject of this paper. It discusses his background, leadership style, and characteristics that distinguish him as an ethical business leader. Howard Schultz, who was born on July 19, 1953, hails from Brooklyn, New York. After he completed his degree in Communications from Northern Michigan University, he worked as a salesperson at Xerox. Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as the Director of Marketing. He left Starbucks in 1987 and opened his own coffee shop, Il Giornale, which ultimately acquired Starbucks. In 1987, Schultz was appointed CEO of Starbucks, and he helped the business grow to become the biggest coffee chain in the world.
Howard Schultz is a moral businessman who has proven to be an outstanding leader and dedicated to social responsibility. His emphasis on social responsibility and participatory leadership have helped Starbucks succeed as a socially responsible business. According to Forbes, Schultz has always been inclusive in decision-making because he believes that Starbucks' success is a result of the efforts of all employees, not just the top executives. The success of Starbucks can be attributed to Schultz's management style, which encourages collaboration and teamwork. He also promotes openness and transparency, which has increased stakeholder trust. Schultz is committed to creating a workplace where each person is valued and respected. According to Starbucks’ website, Schultz’s leadership has ensured to have a beneficial
impact on society, as evidenced by efforts like sustainable coffee cultivation methods and offering full health coverage to all employees, including those who work part-time (Starbucks, 2020). During his tenure as CEO of Starbucks, Schultz oversaw the company's growth from a handful of hundred stores to over 28,000 locations in more than 70 countries (Forbes).Additionally, he was in charge of bringing in fresh goods and offerings like Starbucks Rewards and mobile ordering, which have helped the business stay one step ahead of the competition.
The qualities that make Schultz an ethical business leader are his management style and emphasis on social responsibility. He is dedicated to developing a work environment that respects and cherishes every employee. His management style promotes teamwork and cooperation, which has helped the business succeed. Also, he encourages openness and transparency, which has promoted trust among stakeholders. Starbucks is now a socially responsible business thanks in large part to Schultz's dedication to this cause. He is aware that the success of the business depends on more than just making a profit; it also depends on having a beneficial influence on society. He has fought for a number of social causes, including the environment, veterans, and refugees. In a Business Insider article, citing a Reuters journalist,
