From Barista to Boardroom: Lessons about Life and Leadership from a Career in Coffee

In From Barista to Boardroom, Christine invites the reader in to both her professional and personal journey, which were interlaced from her early adulthood. In the book, Christine reveals how she struck the delicate balance that all working parents -- and especially working moms -- strive to achieve. It is not easy, yet through Christine's commitment to herself and her family she made it appear easy.Christine's deft storytelling paints a vibrant picture of the true culture of Starbucks, from then to now. Despite triumphs and challenges she faced throughout her 27-year Starbucks journey, Christine never lost sight of her values and purpose. And when the company's values seemed to no longer align with her own, Christine chose a path outside.As I neared the end of my own 20+ year Starbucks journey, I wrestled with how to stay true to my own values. I made the leap from Starbucks just two weeks before this book was released. And now that I've finished reading, I am supremely grateful for the the truths Christine shared in From Barista to Boardroom. This book helped to validate my decision as the right one.Highly recommend for working parents who are trying to find their perfect work/life harmony. For college students trying to figure out what to do with their life. For anyone at any stage in their career. For anyone considering a career move within their current organization or outside. Or for anyone struggling to align their personal values with the values/mission of a company. In short, this book has something that will resonate with everyone.

Christine has written up an honest experience, with all the minute enriching details - people, places, emotions- gave me a feeling, like i was there while turning pages. Every life is worthy of a book and the art is to write it and to be brave and vulnerable to share it. Christine is not leaving anything to chance, she is leading the life she wants to live and she did write her story. The details tell me how she had to consistenly keep good diaries of her life, and set goals as new day and new opprtunities rose up. She understood early on that support is important in achieving goals and when she herself rose to leadership, she became a servant leader to support and guide others.I am certain there is much more to share in these diaries, and i am grateful for Christine for sharing her story. I can already visualize this as a movie.

Rising to the top of a corporate ladder can be a shakey experience as Christine aptly describes.The descriptions of events along with her feelings about them gave me a feeling of walking down those halls with her. I admired her challenges and how she faced them. Some Corporate leader egos run amuck when they are on the top rung; I never had that sense about her. Someone described her as a "servant leader" and that most certainly fits her. Throughout her book she projects her values both in and out of the boardroom.Such an inspiration for folks who strive to become who they want to be and not settle for less. A woman of wisdom, knowledge and grace. Starbucks was fortunate to have had her for 25+ years.. Christine's global foot print might sound something like this and a great way to start the day "Good morning, how can I help you?" She is all about service no matter the situation.

From Barista to Boardroom is not just a story of one person’s rise through the ranks at an iconic and well-respected coffee company. It is also the story of a working mom balancing her priorities while seeking new challenges. Christine McHugh documents the peaks and valleys in becoming a leader and decision maker in a fortune 500 organization. But her wisdom is not limited to billion-dollar companies but also for the entrepreneur trying to grow their company. Practicing the Japanese management of Nemawashi, “the cultivating of soil so the tree will grow”, Christine discovered both a personal and professional transformation that allowed her and Starbucks to find growth, fulfillment and success. She did this as a barista, a director, a vice president, a student, and a spouse. She can now add to that a wonderful storyteller and a successful author.

McHugh's book is a compelling read packed with lessons she has picked up along the way in both her personal and professional life. Of particular interest is her navigation of the Starbucks 'journey' and how she skillfully tacked with the winds of change and listened to mentors to create her own path.I'll recommend "From Barista to Boardroom" (terrific title) to clients who want to figure out how to not only survive but thrive in today's challenging corporate environment and still embrace their own identity. It's also a good reminder that hard work and a true interest in the success of others can be rewarding and lead to increasing success.McHugh's conversational style is like listening to a good friend, which I found refreshing approachable. She comes across as tenacious, committed and honest - a rare combo in memoirs of this type.Highly recommended.

From Barista to Boardroom is a page turner and I literally could not put it down. Christine's long and tenured journey at Starbucks evoked so many emotions that I related to every step of the way. As a former long term Starbucks partner (employee) myself, she brought back the feelings of excitement and pride I felt when I first joined Starbucks and felt like party of something bigger than just a barista serving coffee. Her book provides perspective about how EVERYONE feels during a long tenured journey including the fear, anger and frustration that we don't always feel like we have permission to talk about. Thank you for making all the feelings ok Christine. Thank you for making an impact on my own journey to health and happiness outside of Starbucks, while still fully appreciating and loving the company that also raised me. 💚

Christine provides not only an account of her journey at Starbucks which is sure to provide powerful principles for anyone starting into their career.