Howard Schultz, the Billionaire part owner of Starbucks has four principles of success.

“Don’t be threatened by people smarter than you”

“Compromise anything but your core values.”

“Seek to renew yourself even when you are hitting home runs.”

“ And everything matters.”

I agree with his first principle - “Don’t be threatened by people smarter than you”

For any person whether business owner or a manager, sometimes we have others who work with us who are definitely smarter than us. And we feel intimidated.

It is at this point, unknowingly for us, that our true character is tested. We can be little people and ridicule the smart one, push them out, ostracize them, start a campaign against them or avoid them, or we can be big people, who accepts the other person as a key team player and takes advantage of the extra edge and focus they bring so that everybody rises together.

Schultz obviously recognizes this is an important ingredient in his success with Starbucks.

Please share your thoughts on Howard’s four principles of success. Do you agree with him?