How Starbucks Saved my Life

How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill - To be discussed April 6, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Yale graduate, prosperous ad exec: Gill has it all. Then he turns 60 and finds himself precipitously bounced from his job and saddled with the triple threats of a ruined marriage, an unexpected newborn, and a brain tumor. Despairing at the prospect of looming poverty, he stops at a Manhattan Starbucks to comfort himself with a latte. By chance he sits down next to Crystal, a young African American woman recruiting new workers for the coffee giant, and she offers him a job. Almost as an act of desperation, he accepts, and he dons the uniform of a barista-in-training at an Upper West Side Starbucks. This son of privilege who had hobnobbed with Queen Elizabeth, T. S. Eliot, and Jackie Onassis, now keeps daily company with a diverse crew of brash young New Yorkers for whom Starbucks' progressive employee benefits and demanding, inspiring standards of public service offer hope. Gill starts at the bottom, cleaning the bathroom, and he has trouble mastering the cash register. Over the months he learns to deeply respect Crystal, to appreciate the mutual support of his coworkers, and to genuinely cherish the passing parade of customers, each unique. To his own astonishment, he realizes that he actually looks forward joyfully to every hectic, exhausting workday.

1) How did Starbucks “Save” Gill’s Life?

2) Based on his experiences, Gill realized the importance of balance in his life. As a new student, how will you balance your new responsibilities as a student with work, family, etc?

3) Describe two instances where Gill was able to use his previous work experiences to give back to Starbucks.

4) Gill’s children taught him a lot about diversity, values, and appreciating others. What lessons, if any, would you like for your parents to learn from you one day?

5) Gill’s definition of “happiness” seemed to change throughout his life. How would he have defined “happiness” as a young businessman? How would he have defined it as an older gentleman working for Starbucks?

6) What is your definition of true happiness?