Thriving in the Storm – The Mindset of Great Leaders
In nature, when a storm approaches, most birds seek shelter. They hide, waiting for the chaos to pass. But not the eagle. Instead of retreating, it flies into the storm, using the winds to rise higher. Once above the storm, it sees further than ever before.
This isn’t just a lesson about birds — it’s a principle of leadership.
Some of the greatest entrepreneurs and visionaries rise above their challenges instead of running from them. One of the best examples of this is Howard Schultz, the man behind Starbucks.
Before Starbucks became the global powerhouse it is today, it was just a small coffee shop in Seattle. Schultz didn’t even start the company — he worked there as an employee. But he had a vision: to bring the Italian espresso bar experience to America.
However, when he pitched his idea to Starbucks’ original founders, they rejected him. They didn’t believe in expanding beyond selling coffee beans. Most people would have given up. But Schultz didn’t retreat — he soared.
He left Starbucks, started his own coffee company (Il Giornale), and proved his concept worked. He faced rejection from 242 banks before finally securing funding. He returned to buy Starbucks and transformed it into a global brand.
Then came the biggest storm of all.
By the mid-2000s, Starbucks had over-expanded. The financial crisis hit, and Starbucks stores were closing everywhere. Schultz could have played it safe — cut corners, laid off thousands, and tried to wait out the storm.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he flew straight into the storm.
He shut down every store for a day to retrain baristas on making great coffee. He reinvested in customer experience instead of cutting costs. He focused on long-term vision over short-term panic.
While other companies collapsed, Starbucks not only survived — it soared. Today, it is a $100 billion brand, and Schultz became one of the most respected entrepreneurs in history.
Winston Churchill once said, “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”
Howard Schultz answered that call. He didn’t let the storm define him — he used it to rise.
But there’s something even more remarkable about Schultz’s leadership.
Beyond financial strategy and business acumen, his greatest strength was his people-first philosophy. He knew Starbucks was not just about selling coffee — it was about creating an experience and a culture.
He introduced healthcare benefits for employees, even part-time workers — a rare move in corporate America.
He led with empathy, treating baristas as partners rather than employees.
He focused on brand authenticity, ensuring Starbucks was more than just a coffee shop — it was a community.
This wasn’t just a business decision. It was a leadership choice.
Like the eagle, visionary leaders see beyond the moment. They rise above the panic, gain a new perspective, and make decisions others are too afraid to make.
Elevation brings clarity. When you rise above challenges, you see solutions others miss. Storms force adaptation. They separate those who crumble from those who innovate. The greatest opportunities exist when others panic. While some retreat, true leaders position themselves for the future.
Every storm in your life — financial struggles, business setbacks, uncertainty — offers the same choice.
Will you wait for the storm to pass, or will you rise above it?
Howard Schultz didn’t let rejection or crisis stop him. Neither should you.
Your moment will come. Your storm will test you.
When it does — fly higher.
Because when you do, you don’t just survive. You gain the vision to lead.
