Neil Redding
Near Futurist™. Innovation Architect, Expert in AI, Spatial Computing & Convergent Ecosystems
Howard Behar
Former President, Starbucks International | Bestselling Author | Servant Leadership Pioneer
Few leaders have shaped modern business culture like Howard Behar, the executive who transformed Starbucks from a regional chain into a global phenomenon spanning five continents. His servant leadership model, which prioritizes people over profits, has become a benchmark for purpose-driven management. Behar's keynote addresses give audiences an insider's blueprint for building organizations that thrive through authenticity and care.
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Howard Behar biography
The founding president of Starbucks International, leadership speaker Howard Behar transformed a regional coffee company into a global powerhouse spanning five continents. A champion of servant leadership and people-first management, speaker Howard Behar draws from decades of executive experience to help organizations build cultures rooted in purpose and integrity.
Behar’s leadership philosophy took shape long before Starbucks. Growing up in Seattle, he watched his parents blend business with purpose at the family’s neighborhood store, learning that commerce could serve communities as much as customers. After building a successful career in retail, including helping his brother grow a furniture business, Behar joined Starbucks when the company sought to expand beyond the Pacific Northwest. His experience and people-centered approach proved transformative.
From 28 Stores to a Global Empire
Over twenty-one years, Behar served as President of Starbucks North America and founding President of Starbucks International, guiding the company’s growth from 28 stores to more than 15,000 locations worldwide. He later served on the Starbucks Board of Directors for twelve years. Throughout this journey, Behar maintained that Starbucks was never really in the coffee business — it was in the people business. This conviction became the foundation of his servant leadership model, which prioritizes employee development and well-being as drivers of organizational success.
Behar distilled his philosophy into two bestselling books: It’s Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Leadership from a Life at Starbucks and The Magic Cup: A Business Parable About a Leader, a Team, and the Power of Putting People First. Today, he advises organizations and educational institutions on leadership development, serving on boards including the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, the University of Washington Foundation, and Anthos Capital.
As a speaker, Howard Behar brings warmth, authenticity, and hard-won insight to every stage. His keynote addresses challenge leaders to rethink conventional management by putting people first — offering a proven blueprint for building organizations that are both profitable and deeply human.
Howard Behar Speaking Videos
How Howard Behar Used Company Values to Build Starbucks’ Culture
Howard Behar – Putting People First The Value Of A Great Culture
Howard Behar Keynote Topics
Howard Behar was at the helm as Starbucks grew from 28 stores in the Pacific Northwest to more than 15,000 locations across five continents. In this keynote, he takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable business expansions in modern history, revealing the strategic decisions, cultural commitments, and leadership principles that made it possible. Behar shares how staying true to core values while scaling at an extraordinary pace created a brand that resonates with millions of customers worldwide.
Howard Behar has long championed the idea that Starbucks was never in the coffee business — it was in the people business. In this presentation, he unpacks his servant leadership philosophy, which places employee growth and well-being at the center of organizational strategy. Drawing on decades of executive experience, Behar demonstrates how leaders who prioritize serving their teams unlock higher performance, deeper loyalty, and more sustainable results. Audiences leave with a practical framework for leading with empathy and purpose.
Starbucks built one of the most devoted customer bases in the world — not through advertising, but through culture. In this keynote, Howard Behar reveals the customer experience strategies that turned casual coffee drinkers into lifelong brand advocates. He explores how employee engagement directly translates to customer satisfaction, why authentic connection matters more than transaction efficiency, and how organizations of any size can create the kind of loyalty that drives long-term growth.
Culture is not a set of values posted on a wall — it is the lived experience of every person in an organization. Howard Behar shares how he helped build and sustain the distinctive culture at Starbucks, one grounded in respect, accountability, and a shared sense of mission. In this presentation, he offers practical guidance on establishing clear organizational values, empowering employees to take ownership of their work, and creating environments where people feel proud of what they do and who they work for.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Howard Behar
Why Howard Behar?
Howard Behar offers a rare perspective that combines boardroom authority with deeply humanistic leadership philosophy. As the executive who guided Starbucks' expansion from 28 stores to over 15,000 locations across five continents, he speaks from direct experience about building global brands while staying true to core values. His servant leadership model has influenced a generation of business leaders, and his ability to connect complex management principles to everyday practice makes him exceptionally effective on stage. Audiences leave his presentations with a concrete framework for leading with empathy, integrity, and purpose. Book Howard Behar through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring transformative leadership insight to your next event.
What is Howard Behar's servant leadership philosophy?
Howard Behar's servant leadership philosophy centers on the principle that organizations succeed when leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of their people above all else. At Starbucks, he famously maintained that the company was never really in the coffee business — it was in the people business. His approach emphasizes listening to employees at every level, empowering teams to make decisions, and creating cultures where individuals feel valued and purposeful. This philosophy is captured in his bestselling book It's Not About the Coffee: Lessons on Leadership from a Life at Starbucks and in his keynote addresses delivered worldwide.
What keynote topics does Howard Behar address?
Howard Behar delivers keynote speeches on servant leadership, organizational culture, customer loyalty, and values-driven business growth. Drawing from his twenty-one years leading Starbucks' domestic and international operations, he offers practical strategies for building high-performance teams, fostering employee engagement, and creating brands that inspire fierce customer devotion. His presentations resonate with executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders across industries. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Howard Behar's insights on people-first leadership to your conference or corporate event.
How did Howard Behar contribute to Starbucks' global expansion?
Howard Behar played a pivotal role in transforming Starbucks from a small Pacific Northwest coffee chain into a global cultural phenomenon. As President of Starbucks North America and founding President of Starbucks International, he oversaw the company's growth from 28 stores to more than 15,000 locations spanning five continents. He opened the first international Starbucks store in Japan and helped establish the people-first management approach that became the company's competitive advantage. His focus on employee culture and customer experience contributed to the brand loyalty that has made Starbucks one of the world's most recognized companies.
How to book Howard Behar as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Howard Behar as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Howard Behar's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Howard Behar or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Howard Behar speaking fee?
Howard Behar speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Howard Behar to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Howard Behar.
How can I contact Howard Behar?
We only work with Howard Behar on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Howard Behar and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Howard Behar speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Howard Behar for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Howard Behar for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Howard Behar is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Howard Behar for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
