I am concerned about any attrition in customer traffic at Starbucks, but I don't want to use the economy, commodity prices or consumer confidence as an excuse.

Even though people are under economic pressure, they still want to support those brands with values that are compatible with their own.

I conduct my life with an expectation that people will do the right thing. Yet even with all my experience, I am still surprised when they do not.

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.

People in Washington need to put their feet in the shoes of working Americans.

I think there is probably no better person to aspire to emulate than Steve Jobs and what he has done at Apple in terms of his leadership, his innovation, not settling for mediocrity.

The hardest thing about being a leader is demonstrating or showing vulnerability. And that has a lot to do with trust.