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Howard Schultz on Principles & ValuesStarbucks CEO; independent candidate for President until July 2019 |
A lack of character at the highest levels of government is related to the second significant failure of our times, which is institutional: primarily our two-party system, which has devolved into a self-interested duopoly, is not serving the American people. When our political parties accept millions of dollars in contributions from lobbyists, Congress acts in the interest of lobbyists, not in the interest of the America people.
America's heart is principled, it encompasses our core values, and it is our common ground.
America's heart is aspirational in its dreams, yet realistic in its plans. In America's heart, common sense and reason prevail.
America's heart does not favor partisan ideas; it opts for the best solutions, no matter where they come from.
America's heart also embraces objective truth,--yes, truth!--and our truth informs our problem solving.
In America's heart, science is real, and so is religion and faith.
In America's heart, all people are equal--no matter your gender, your race, your religion, your sexual orientation, or your station in life.
In America's heart, we stand as we always have, with our allies around the world.
America's heart is compassion and humanity. In America's heart is not "We the faction" or "We the tribe." It is, and always has been, and needs to be again, "We the People".
Schultz's spokesperson responded to this article by saying, "You seemed to have completely misinterpreted the response from the crowd about socialism. It wasn't that they didn't agree with him. They were groaning about the idea of socialism. If you had any read of the crowd whatsoever, you would have noticed that. And, by the way, he has been defining capitalism at events over the last 24 hours. It is not as if he doesn't have an answer."
Through the years, I've learned a great deal about leadership: What is leadership? Leadership is about having the humility to listen to different people and opinions. Leadership is about bringing talented, passionate people together to solve complex problems. Leadership is about making tough choices for unselfish reasons. Leadership is also about personal accountability. And most importantly, Leadership is about earning people's trust.
This past year, I've traveled the country. I've heard and I've learned so many new things. Among them is that the American people are longing for more honesty, authentic and real leadership in Washington, D.C., that's finally working for them. Our political class in Washington, D.C., is not solving the problems we need to solve.
These pages are less about Starbucks and my childhood than about the place in which we were both born: The United States of America. The intertwined narratives tell a bigger story. It's a story about what we can do for ourselves and for each other, as well as the responsibility we all have to reimagine our shared future. And reimagine we must."
Our team is supporting Howard as he visits communities around the country to discuss his new book, From The Ground Up, shares the challenges his family faced, and listens to the stories of others who, like him, overcame much to achieve the American Dream.
We are at a pivotal moment in our country's history; America is divided like never before. It's time to ask whether the two-party system is capable of meeting the challenge before us. The pundits will say this can't be done, but the American people will decide if that's the case. America's best chapters are ahead--it's time we start writing them.
Second, and more profoundly, I hope to inspire leaders of enterprises to aim high. Success is empty if you arrive at the finish line alone.
I'm not writing this book to make money. All my earnings from it will go to the newly formed Starbucks Foundation, which will allocate the proceeds to philanthropic work on behalf of Starbucks and its partners. This is the story of Starbucks, but it is not a conventional business book.
My ultimate aim in writing "Pour Your Heart into It" is to reassure people to have the courage to persevere, to keep following their hearts even when others scoff. Don't be beaten down by naysayers. Don't let the odds scare you from even trying.