Everyone starts strong. Success comes to those with unwavering commitment to be at the end.

Often, organizations need bold, grand gestures to galvanize people towards a new mission or refocus their attention.

Do I take criticism of Starbucks personally? Of course I do.

It's ironic that retailers and restaurants live or die on customer service, yet their employees have some of the lowest pay and worst benefits of any industry. That's one reason so many retail experiences are mediocre for the public.

Starbucks has changed the rules of engagement for the music industry.

I do think - as self-serving as it sounds - that I was the right person, given the very, very strong headwind we had from the economy and our own issues, to come back and rewrite the future of the company.

To stay vigorous, a company needs to provide a stimulating and challenging environment for all these types: the dreamer, the entrepreneur, the professional manager, and the leader. If it doesn't, it risks becoming yet another mediocre corporation.