How the Starbucks Board Handled the Return of Howard Schultz

When Howard Schultz returned as interim CEO in 2022, the Starbucks board faced a dilemma: embrace the founder who built the company or chart a new path forward. This episode examines the board's decision-making during Schultz's third tenure, from his controversial union stance to the reinvention strategy that followed. Lucas and Luna break down the governance challenges of founder-led boards, the 2023 succession to Laxman Narasimhan, and the structural changes the board made to ensure independence. Specific focus on the board's composition shifts, the 2023 board refresh adding three new directors, and how Starbucks' governance evolved from Schultz's 2018 departure through 2026. Listeners will learn how boards balance founder passion with fiduciary duty, and why the Starbucks case is a textbook lesson in managing 'founder return' risk. #Starbucks #HowardSchultz #BoardGovernance #CEOTransition #FounderReturn #CorporateStrategy #LaxmanNarasimhan #BoardRefresh #UnionRelations #StarbucksBoard #CoffeeIndustry #GovernanceLessons #FounderLed #BusinessStrategy #CorporateLeadership #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo