Unnoticed Daily Choices CEOs Make in Their Leadership Roles
In the realm of leadership, burnout is a looming danger that can manifest as missed cues, slower decisions, emotional volatility, physical challenges, and diminished resilience under stress. To combat this, leading from the space between means protecting mental bandwidth, tending to the emotional world, and developing internal resilience to carry the weight of external responsibilities without succumbing to burnout.
This approach, often referred to as the "Two Chairs" leadership principle, holds significant value in both external and internal leadership, as well as self-leadership. The concept was discussed by Howard Schultz at Starbucks' Leadership Experience event, aligning with his known leadership style and philosophy.
In external leadership, the "Two Chairs" principle symbolises the dual perspective leaders must maintain. One chair represents the customer, and the other represents the employee or internal team. By metaphorically "sitting in both chairs," leaders ensure decisions honour both perspectives, driving success in customer loyalty and fair work culture.
In internal leadership, this principle encourages leaders to balance the needs of different internal stakeholders—managers, employees, and the broader corporate mission. This dual focus fosters a culture where leadership is servant-based and empathetic, mirroring Schultz's approach during his tenure, which included prioritizing employee benefits and fair trade principles.
On a personal level, the "Two Chairs" concept challenges leaders to practice self-reflection and balance ambition with humility. Leaders must "sit in the chair" of their own growth while remaining accountable to their teams and customers. This internal dialogue is key to authentic leadership, continuous learning, and adaptive decision-making.
The drift into imbalance in leadership is subtle and often goes unnoticed. Leaders may justify overworking with phrases like "Just this quarter," "Just this deadline," or "I'll slow down after the launch." Operating from just one chair (focusing solely on performance) limits capacity and creates risk, not only for the leader but also for the company and team.
In essence, the "Two Chairs" principle embodies a holistic leadership approach that integrates empathy, accountability, and the balancing of sometimes competing priorities—customer satisfaction and employee well-being—reflecting Howard Schultz's leadership ethos that helped Starbucks grow into a global brand synonymous with culture and care.
This balanced perspective cultivates trust both externally with customers and internally with employees, while fostering leaders who lead themselves effectively by maintaining awareness of their roles from multiple vantage points.
In education-and-self-development and personal-growth, the "Two Chairs" concept emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for leaders. Leaders must "sit in the chair" of their own growth, balancing ambition with humility. (self-leadership)
This holistic approach to leadership, as exemplified by Howard Schultz, encourages leaders to prioritize not only business growth but also the well-being of employees, reflecting a servant-based and empathetic leadership style. (leadership)
In the finance sector, maintaining a balanced perspective through the "Two Chairs" principle can help leaders make decisions that foster long-term growth by considering both the needs of customers and the welfare of the internal team. (business)
