creativity

In the pause: Don’t be afraid of your great ideas

Christa Avampato

“All great ideas are dangerous.” ~Oscar Wilde

I love this quote my Oscar Wilde. If you are making big plans now, or thinking about making big plans, chances are you’re coming up against some scary realities or risky choices. It’s easy to shy away from dangerous circumstances. What if you fail? What if it doesn’t go as well as you hope it will go? What will other people think? I’m thinking about all of these things to. Despite the fear, I say we move forward anyway. Let’s do what scares us. Let’s stand in our light, speak our truths, and embrace the messiness of all our new ventures.

creativity

In the pause: Reflecting on Hidden Figures

Christa Avampato

I went to see Hidden Figures on Thursday night. I felt uplifted right after seeing it and then all weekend felt sad and frustrated by it. Don’t get me wrong; I love seeing stellar performances from three female women of color portraying real women who are intelligent, courageous, and determined. And let’s face it – the BS that the women portrayed in the film faced still runs rampant in the American workplace and society at-large, especially for women of color.

This is absolutely true in technology, science, and business. I have lost track of the number of times in my career that I was and am expected to keep my head down, my mouth shut, and my smile wide so that I don’t seem threatening to others by questioning assumptions and points-of-view, no matter how respectful and professional my comments are. And here’s the worst part: if I were to tally the worst bullying I’ve received in the workplace, it’s come from an equal number of women and men. It’s unfortunate, and it’s my truth. Women still fight for equal pay, respect, and promotions, and far too often we’re fighting one another.

So this is what I’m going to do about it: I’m going to work on making the workplace, wherever I work, a kinder, more collaborative, diverse, accepting place. There are too many hidden figures in the world today, and I intend to spend my time bringing them into the light and celebrating them.

 

 

creativity

In the pause: Things I am tired of

Christa Avampato

On the University of Virginia Alumni LinkedIn discussion group I was told by multiple members that they felt my sharing of an article about Howard Schultz’s letter to his employees in the wake of the immigration executive order was inappropriate because it’s partisan. If an open university discussion group isn’t the right place to discuss business and societal issues that impact our country, I’m not sure what would be the right place. The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson who, among many other accomplishments, was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence. He was a great believer in and promoter of open debate and discourse.

I don’t mind people disagreeing with Howard Schultz and having reasoned arguments about their point-of-view. I mind being told that a business story that has a human element isn’t something worth sharing or discussing with alumni of a university I attended. By comparison, I shared this same post in the University of Pennsylvania alumni group and didn’t get a single comment like the ones I received from the University of Virginia alumni group. On the Darden alumni group, there was a single comment from an alum who said he was glad the immigration order was put in place because he doesn’t want to have to worry about Muslims shooting up his shopping mall. Ignorance is difficult to reason with.

Friends, I’m tired. Tired of explaining that discrimination of many varieties including prejudice based on religion, race, gender, and sexual orientation is alive and well in America. (Many of he UVA alums who commented on my post went on to say that they don’t think discrimination exists in the U.S.) I’m tired of hearing that we should embrace a leader who exemplifies every characteristic that a leader shouldn’t have. I’m tired of the constant justification of behavior that isn’t just.

I keep looking to our civil rights leaders of the past and present, and I marvel at their strength and perseverance in the face of hate. I wanted you to know that I appreciate so many of you sharing your stories of what’s happening to you and people whom you know. I admire your fighting spirits. You raise me up.

Certainly, I have been the target of prejudice in the form of sexism in both the workplace and in society. I try very hard to put on my armor and not let it get me down so that I can keep doing the work I know I’m meant to do. But some days, the load is heavier to carry than others and today is just one of those days. I’m disappointed in these UVA alums who felt compelled to send me these kinds of messages, and I’m also angry that I let them get to me so much.

I’ll feel better in a little while. I’ll pick up the mantle again and keep fighting for the rights of all people. I hope you will, too. And when you get down, please reach out. The only way we’re going to slog through this is to slog through it together.

creativity

In the pause: Chapter 3 of the Breaking Bread Podcast is live

Christa Avampato

In Chapter 3 of the Breaking Bread Podcast, Mina receives an opportunity from an unlikely source. Listen here:

creativity

In the pause: Thinking of Lady Liberty

Christa Avampato

When I worked at Amex from 2008-2012, I would sneak away from my desk for a few minutes, go up to the 50th floor, and look out the big bay windows at New York Harbor, one of the busiest harbors in the world that has very strong currents and tides.For me, New York Harbor was then and is now a powerful allegory to our nation’s circumstances. A few minutes with that view kept me sane and calm in times that were anything but. Seeing the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island reminded me that no matter how troubled the waters of our nation are, we would be okay if we could all hang together and support one another.

I’ve been thinking about that view a lot lately as we face times that seem just as uncertain and frightening with the executive orders regarding immigration and the battle now being waged around financial regulation. How can we disagree so vehemently and remain united? How do we move forward when there is such fundamental disagreement on a human level? These are questions I will continue to consider in the coming months and years. I’ll let you know what I find.

creativity

In the pause: Beneath the surface

Christa Avampato

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Yesterday I had a conversation with a college friend of mine about our struggles during the years we were in school. That conversation perfectly fits the sentiment behind this lovely piece of art that my amazing friend, Alex, sent to me as a gift. Below the surface of what we show to others, there is so much going on. Hope and dreams, struggles and hardships, that few others know about.

It’s with this idea that I try to approach situations, particularly ones that are difficult to understand. We’re all fighting battles no one knows anything about. Our experiences, thoughts, and beliefs are all filtered through the lens of our past. One idea that Alex has taught me is that we all have blindspots. And the only way to really see clearly is to listen intently to the experiences of others.

As this piece of art so beautifully reminds us, there is much going on beneath the surface of our own hearts. We can get to the root of our own struggles by sitting quietly, pausing life for a few minutes, and listening for whatever arises. It is all connected. We are all connected. Things will shift and change and challenge us in ways we don’t always understand in the moment. Keep the faith. Something bigger than us is at play and our only job is to discover what that is, and to help others discover it, too.

Thank you, Alex, for this thoughtful reminder and gift. I love it!

creativity

In the pause: Reflections on my college years at Penn from an Amtrak train

Christa Avampato

I recently took an Amtrak train up to New York for a long weekend. I love the train for many reasons, especially because it gives me a chance to roll past my alma mater – the University of Pennsylvania. I always get a little teary eyed. Those years were hard for me. I learned a lot. Struggled a lot. Grew a lot. And growth is often painful. It’s uncomfortable to become something. It’s scary and difficult. And yet, it must be done. To become the people we’re meant to be, we have to grow and evolve. We need to learn hard, painful lessons about life, about the world, and about ourselves. Sometimes I think it’s a miracle of the highest order that I even survived. Do I wear my diploma like a badge of honor? You bet I do. I earned every letter of that sucker and then some. I wouldn’t want to do it over again, and yet I’m grateful for it. It taught me to stare into the fire and smile instead of flinch. And that kind of strength is invaluable. It erases fear.

creativity

In the pause: More data on our national economy

Christa Avampato

As a follow-up to my post a few days ago (Leading Economic Indicators We All Need to Watch), I had a conversation with one of my former business professors. I wanted to get his perspective on my concerns and about the economy to see if there were other indicators I should be watching. He mentions a few here and details some of his very real concerns as well. He is someone who constantly watches the global and national economy, as well as the stock market, so I trust his advice, guidance, and thoughtfulness. I hope this is helpful to you as well.

“Christa:

Nice to hear from you!

Like you, I’m feeling a bit uneasy about the stock market right now. Very high P/E multiples. To justify those prices will take an extraordinary breakout of growth in the US (and world) economy. The saving grace is that the financial industry still looks fairly stable—bigger capital bases than in 2007, more conservative lending, etc. If there is a downturn in the next year or so, I don’t think it will have the force of 2008. But still, a downturn is a downturn and something to be prepared for.

Your blog post offers some very good advice. I encourage people to keep 12-18 months’ worth of living expenses in fairly safe and secure investments. And I remind them of the old adage that there are two ways to be rich: one is to have a lot of money; and the other is to have simple needs. Avoid running up debt balances (except for education and a home mortgage). And the most important asset one has is between one’s ears: keep learning so as to stay valuable to your employer—that’s the best defense against a layoff.

Hope these comments help.

Be well.”

 

creativity

In the pause: CEOs of America, we need you to have the same courage as Howard Schultz of Starbucks

Christa Avampato

Over the weekend, Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, issued a statement to every partner (employee). I teared up reading the strong and courageous stance he’s taking on immigration, healthcare, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, refugees, and Mexico. Now this is a leader we should all emulate. Business is, first and foremost, about people. The full statement and link are below.

“Dear partners,

I write to you today with deep concern, a heavy heart and a resolute promise. Let me begin with the news that is immediately in front of us: we have all been witness to the confusion, surprise and opposition to the Executive Order that President Trump issued on Friday, effectively banning people from several predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, including refugees fleeing wars. I can assure you that our Partner Resources team has been in direct contact with the partners who are impacted by this immigration ban, and we are doing everything possible to support and help them to navigate through this confusing period.

We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question. These uncertain times call for different measures and communication tools than we have used in the past. Kevin and I are going to accelerate our commitment to communicating with you more frequently, including leveraging new technology platforms moving forward.  I am hearing the alarm you all are sounding that the civility and human rights we have all taken for granted for so long are under attack, and want to use a faster, more immediate form of communication to engage with you on matters that concern us all as partners.

I also want to take this opportunity to announce specific actions we are taking to reinforce our belief in our partners around the world and to ensure you are clear that we will neither stand by, nor stand silent, as the uncertainty around the new Administration’s actions grows with each passing day:

Support for DACA: As I wrote to Senators Graham and Durbin this week, we are enthusiastically behind their work to support “Dreamers” across our country – including those young men and women who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. There are nearly three-quarters of a million hardworking people contributing to our communities and our economy because of this program.  At Starbucks, we are proud to call them partners and to help them realize their own American Dream.  We want them to feel welcome and included in our success, which is why we reimburse them for the biennial fee they must pay to stay in the program and why we have offered DACA-related services at our Opportunity Youth hiring fairs.

Hiring Refugees: We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination.  There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business.  And we will start this effort here in the U.S. by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.

Building Bridges, Not Walls, With Mexico: We have been open for business in Mexico since 2002, and have since opened almost 600 stores in 60 cities across the country, which together employ over 7,000 Mexican partners who proudly wear the green apron. We have sourced coffee from Mexico’s producers and their families for three decades and last fall, we also announced the creation of a farmer support center in Chiapas to help accelerate our collective ability to grow and export some of the world’s finest coffees from this important growing region, while donating more than $2 million to support the livelihood, food security and water quality of coffee producing communities in Oaxaca.  With the support of thousands of Starbucks partners and millions of customers, we have also donated over a million coffee trees to support 70,000 families, and we will be expanding the initiative this year to generate another 4 million tree donations. Coffee is what unites our common heritage, and as I told Alberto Torrado, the leader of our partnership with Alsea in Mexico, we stand ready to help and support our Mexican customers, partners and their families as they navigate what impact proposed trade sanctions, immigration restrictions and taxes might have on their business and their trust of Americans.  But we will continue to invest in this critically important market all the same.

Our Healthcare Commitment to You: Finally, let me restate what we have recently communicated with you about the Affordable Care Act – our commitment remains that if you are benefits eligible, you will always have access to health insurance through Starbucks.  Many of you have expressed concerns that recent government actions may jeopardize your ability to participate in the Affordable Care Act. If the recent Executive Order related to health care remains in place and the Affordable Care Act is repealed causing you to lose your healthcare coverage, you will always have the ability to return and can do so within 30 days of losing that coverage rather than having to wait for an open enrollment period. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Benefits Center at 877-728-9236.

In the face of recent events around the world, let me assure you that we will stay true to our values and do everything we can possibly do to support and invest in every partner’s well-being while taking the actions that are squarely within our ability to control. This is our focus: providing a Third Place of respite for those around the world who seek it, daily.

Starbucks has and will always stand for opportunity – opportunity for our young people who are working to land their first job in the 75 countries where we do business, opportunity for our farmers who care so deeply for the highest of quality coffee we offer to customers all around the globe, and yes, opportunity for those who come to America in search of their own fresh start – whether that is with Starbucks directly, or through our suppliers or our partner companies.

If there is any lesson to be learned over the last year, it’s that your voice and your vote matter more than ever. We are all obligated to ensure our elected officials hear from us individually and collectively. Starbucks is doing its part; we need you to use the collective power of your voices to do the same while respecting the diverse viewpoints of the 90 million customers who visit our stores in more than 25,000 locations around the world.

So, while we seek to understand what the new Administration’s policies mean for us and our business both domestically and around the world, I can assure you that we will do whatever it takes to support you, our partners, to realize your own dreams and achieve your own opportunities. We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation. That will not change.  You have my word on that.

Onward,

Howard”

https://news.starbucks.com/news/living-our-values-in-uncertain-times

 

creativity

In the pause: The doors of this country stay open

Christa Avampato

To my friends who are immigrants and to my friends who are Muslim, please know that there are many people (myself included) who stand and will continue to stand in solidarity with you and your families. I will march with you, fight for you, donate money to the ACLU Nationwide for you, and volunteer my time, talents, and efforts to make this country safe for you. The doors of this country stay open, as they were to my grandparents and to the ancestors of everyone else I know who calls America home. On my walk around my D.C. neighborhood with Phineas today, I saw signs of welcoming, acceptance, love, and resistance everywhere. I wanted to share these with you so that you know you are not alone, not now, not ever. We are here, and we’re not going anywhere.

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