In SFSU talk, former Starbucks CEO emphasizes humanity, inner strength in changing job market
Laxman Narasimhan took part in Lam Family College of Business’ Lam-Larsen Distinguished Lecture Series, in conversation with alumnus Chris Larsen
- By Matt Itelson
At San Francisco State University, the career paths for our students often zig and zag in different directions. While thousands arrive straight from high school and community college every year in traditional fashion, many Gators gain meaningful experiences in unexpected places during and after their educational pursuits. And nearly one-third of our students are the first in their families to go to college.
This was evident at SFSU’s Lam-Larsen Distinguished Lecture Series on Oct. 28 featuring former Starbucks and Reckitt Chief Executive Officer Laxman Narasimhan in conversation with Ripple co-founder and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen (B.S., ’84). Their wide-ranging talk in the Seven Hills Conference Center explored a variety of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), labor, education, humanity, disinfectant and, yes, coffee.
Born and raised in India, Narasimhan moved to America as a first-generation college student at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. His passion was writing poetry, but his parents steered him toward a major in Mechanical Engineering.
“I’ll tell you one thing: If I had landed in any other country, I would never have made it. I made it because it was America,” he said.
As AI technology and its burgeoning industry, centered in San Francisco, grows at a fast pace, the fundamental nature of people’s work will change significantly, Narasimhan says.
“I think we’re going to see very non-linear careers ... with non-traditional people, either acquiring non-traditional skills that they’re going to have to relearn and rebuild over time in a non-traditional way,” said Narasimhan, who also was previously the global chief commercial officer for PepsiCo.
When Narasimhan was named Starbucks CEO, he took a six-month detour to work at 38 of its cafes.
“The first day was terrible because my lattes were horrible, and they told me, ‘By the way, this sucks. Go make it again!’” he said. “And I made it again. I dropped food product. I burned my hand. You know, I was, like, ‘Oh, I can't believe this!’ ... Every night I’d sit with them, and I learned their stories.”
He empathized with the baristas, and he gained their trust.
“If you can find a way to be human-centered, if you can find a way to connect with people at scale,” Narasimhan said, “you can actually transform and do what you need to do by winning their hearts and their minds, and, therefore, their hands.”
Students attending the lecture found the talk inspirational.
“I really enjoy being able to hear from successful people. It makes me feel like being at this school is really worth it,” said Azlyn Henri, a student majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
Throughout his talk and answers to questions from the SFSU students, Narasimhan emphasized empathy and inner strength over money.
“The path to happiness is not to compare. The path to success is to compete with yourself,” he said.
He added: “The question you ask yourself is not: ‘Am I going to be wealthier tomorrow than I am today?’ The question you can ask yourself is: ‘Am I better tomorrow than I was today?’ ... I would urge you to find this inner strength in you. Because you know what really, actually, at the end of the day, drives success long term is how strong you are on the inside.”