This is part two of the blog
post I started here on what I learned
from working at Starbucks. As it became
a rather long post, I decided to divide it up into two sections. I highly encourage you to read the first one (found here) if you haven’t done so because this will make more sense to you as I jump right
into my thoughts.
Starbucks is a great company at which to be employed. Younger
generations may not realize it, or those that get their first job at Starbucks,
but the company seems to go out of their way to make their employees feel
important. We use “partner” over “employee”
because management values the opinions of those that work for them and does not
view anyone as “just” a barista. It is
more than just a nice catchphrase but a way of life with the company. They do not have to give us free food items
or drinks but they do. They also offer
health benefits, stock and other options while also encouraging growth as a
person and as an employee (read: partner).
As a Christian I might not agree with everything they get involved with
on the outside, but I would gladly work for them again with the way they treat
those that are part of their team. This
is why so many people stay long term with the company. If you have a great store manager, you’ll see
minimum turn-over compared to other places.
So before you want to get into a rampage over their solid red cups for
Christmas or things they support, understand they treat their employees (read:
partners) very well. I’d rather work for
a non-Christian company who treats employees well than a Christian one who
treats them poorly.
Love and respect goes a long way in your work
environment. I came in as “the pastor that just got
hired.” That came with a bit of
stereotypes and curiosity from those with whom I would be working. “Is this guy going to be some sort of prude?”
was the common question on the minds of the people. Everyone has different personalities – mine
just happens to be a goof-ball that doesn’t take myself too seriously (though I
take my job as well as the ministry very seriously). I typically enjoy being with people (which my
sound strange coming from one who leans more towards being an introvert and is
an ISFJ if you understand Myers-Briggs personality types) and being a part of a
team is a big deal to me. In all
reality, these people came to be like family to me and I enjoyed each and every
one of them. And like a family, there
are times you drive each other crazy because you are in a confined space 20-35
hours a week with some of them. I have
learned as a Christian to apologize quickly when I am wrong and there have been
times when I had to go back and apologize for blowing it or losing my temper –
not easy, but in my mind necessary because I was sorry. However, I don’t think it was simply my
quick-witted, dry humor or “Charlie Brown dancing” ways that allowed me to be
accepted, but my realness and love towards those around me. Yes, everyone comes from different
backgrounds and walks of life and perform actions outside work that I would not
condone as a Christian. But those
actions do not make them less of a human or unworthy of my friendship. I know they knew I did not agree with the
various things they did, but they also knew I would be there for them
regardless (and still am). My co-workers are an extension of my family to
me and I’d love all of them to come to the full knowledge of Christ, but I’m
going to always be there for them whether they do or not. Whatever work place you find yourself, if you
seek to treat all those around you as equals, give them respect, and get to
know them where they are, you can make an impact on their life. And, they in turn, will impact yours for the
better as well!
I think the problem as those
who profess to be Christians comes when we forget the Gospel is just as
relevant to our lives as to everyone else’s.
We are still sinners who struggle with our flesh and need the saving
power of Christ in our lives daily. His
death and resurrection are still as important to us today as they were when we
first chose to follow Him. We are no
better because we are Christians, but certainly we can act that way if we are
not careful. When we think we are
somehow superior is when we will lose our witness. Be honest and real – you need Jesus just as
much as the next person.
Co-workers are just as important as you. In a world
where we feel we have no problems climbing over someone else to get what we
want, we need to stop and consider if this is even right. As a Christian, I seek to follow the pattern
and teachings of the resurrected Savior, Jesus, who taught us to treat others
the way we want to be treated, to love others as ourselves, and to love God
with our whole heart, soul and mind. We
are also think of others first and look out for the interests of others. Though certainly not called to be a door-mat,
we should also never seek to build our own kingdom. When you have a honest view of yourself and
an honest view of Scripture, you will understand co-workers are not below you
and are not to be used to get where you want to go. They all have their own dreams, hopes and
visions, and seek to get to know those.
In fact, we should “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those
who weep” (Romans 12:15, though go ahead and read Romans 12:14-21 as it is
excellent passage related to topic at hand) which comes from knowing your
co-workers (and you seek to know your co-workers when you understand their
value). I am impressed with many of my
co-workers and what they have accomplished: one worked long hours to save up
for college all by herself getting accepted to CSU-Fresno, another studied long
and hard to become a coffee master with a zeal for something he loved, another
has been with the company since she was 16 and now is an assistant manager
(soon to be manager of her own store), another takes care of his wife and kids
while also highly involved in his church and even taking classes with his
church to learn more, another has gone back to school to be a paramedic, and
the list goes on and on (so for those who may be reading this and feel slighted
I didn’t mention you, it is for the sake of the reader I didn’t – though if the
reader has made it this far, props to you).
Now I don’t say all this for a pat on my back because it isn’t even
about me – but I seek to be invested in the lives around me because as a
Christian I cannot make an impact if I’m only worried about myself.
You can impact someone’s day as a barista. In
the previous blog, I detailed how you can impact a barista’s day, but I want to
encourage those who are baristas (or really any position in a company where you
interact regularly with customers) that you have a great deal of power in influencing
people’s days today. Part of being a
partner is seeking to connect to something bigger, to be meaningful to the
world, and you definitely can do that simply from behind the counter. We may never get to see the impact we have,
but understand it is there. People who
come in the store have all the same type of struggles, frustrations, joys,
hurts, and questions we experience and just like we can hide those things, they
do too. So when we give them that extra
bit of attention or that kind word or simple acknowledgment that they are a human
being, it may do more than we can even realize.
If you have ever spent time regularly in a Starbucks, you will notice
there are regulars who come and hang out there.
Our store reminded me quite a bit of the old show “Cheers” and I
perceive part of the reason for their regular attendance is the feeling of
belonging. We knew our regulars’ names,
they knew ours and there was that connection.
Yes, we may not know what hardships they are facing (though some
certainly told us) but to be able to get away for a bit from those hardships
and be in a comfortable environment in part due to our own kindness towards
them, can be enough to get through another hard day. It can be easy to forget how simple gestures
can have a profound impact on lives around us and we may feel like we are just
doing a job much of the time. But you
are not “just a barista” (or whatever job you find yourself in) – you are
someone that can influence a life and there is a power and responsibility in
that. Overly dramatic you may ask? Perhaps, but from a personal standpoint, each
time I go back to visit my former co-workers and am greeted with smiles, it
touches me in a very positive way. So
seek to see how you can make someone’s day brighter today and you’ll also find
how it will impact you as well.
Other thoughts you may have
but weren’t mentioned? Comments you wish
to express? Stories you’d like to share
for the benefit of the rest of us?
Please leave a comment and let us know!
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