Leadership with Passion - Starbucks Shareholders And the movie 300

What is the annual meeting of Starbucks and the film 300 have in common?

Not two seemingly disparate things as a group of investors of coffee and a violent action film animation rich really share a theme? In reality, a theme emerged.

At the meeting of shareholders, one of the keynote speakers was Howard Schultz, Starbucks visionary for. The concept came to Schultz of Starbucks, after a trip to Europe and specifically Italy. While there, he noticed the atmosphere and enjoy the moment that he found in coffee shops. People stopped to smell the coffee and take a break. It 'was a break worth replicating. Schultz began to replicate this experience. He could play the same scenario in the U.S.? It 'was a challenge he accepted, which has evolved into a vision. Howard Schultz hooked to that vision. He locked up with passion. Nourished him. The protected. Through being rejected for funding by more than 200 venture capitalists. Through being told that it would never work. Through obstacles and waste. Howard hooked.

That was over twenty-five years ago. Howard blocked on reaching its vision. Since then the vision was extended. From his seemingly simple desire to bring some 'of Italian culture in the United States has delivered a plan to have more than 40,000 Starbucks stores around the world. Step by step over 25 years. Focused action.

I saw Howard Schultz on stage. He exuded strength and pride of a person who knows what he is doing and where he's going with his life. It seemed to land in what he wants to Starbucks through the questions of the public who have shown hostility and issues shared gratitude. He had purpose. He had passion.

That afternoon I saw the movie 300. The hero was King Leonidas. Leonidas was born and raised in Sparta. In Sparta boys were trained to fight from an early age. Were taken from their mothers to seven years to learn to become warriors. Leonidas was sent on his own to bear the elements during early adolescence as a coming of age test. He survived the dangers. It 's become a Spartan warrior.

He married and had a passionate relationship with his wife. But he had greater strength and vocation. Freedom. He had learned the way of the warrior. He lived it. Never retire. Never give up. When the king of Persia challenged the independence of Sparta, Leonidas was unwilling to bow to another king. It 'was a challenge to the independence of Sparta and all Spartans. It 'was a challenge to freedom. It 'was a challenge for Leonidas as a free man.

Leonidas was clear. He was a warrior, trained to protect himself and Sparta. He had a vision. He had a conviction. He rounded up 300 Spartan warriors and went to sea to make a million Persians attack. All the time focused on what he wanted to do. He was willing to do anything. He has designed. He had passion. His passion was contagious. He had 300 men fans. They have won many of the various waves of attacks. And even if they fought to the death, they held off the Persians, and gave time to Sparta refortify.

The annual meeting of shareholders and the film 300 are both strong leaders. Howard Schultz and Leonidas each had a passion for their visions. They were crystal clear on the path. They knew where they were going. They held on with tenacity to stay with him, despite the obstacles and the attackers. Today both shine as leaders. They have remained true to themselves. Both have embraced a passion for a vision committed.

And you. Do you have something in common with Howard Schultz and King Leonidas? ......