
Starbucks’ Secrets for Building Culture Through Everyday Rituals
From Honest HR by SHRM
March 10, 2026 · 31 min · Season 3 · Episode 32
About this episode
Sandy Roberts from Starbucks discusses the impact of coffee rituals on workplace culture and employee relationships.
Coffee is more than just a beverage — it’s a cornerstone of workplace culture. Sandy Roberts, Starbucks’ director of cultural leadership, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to explore how coffee fosters connection, collaboration, and belonging in the workplace. Together, they discuss the power of small moments, the role of rituals in building authentic relationships, and how HR professionals can help employees fill their own cup. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r
People in this episode
Host: Nicole Belyna
Guest: Sandy Roberts
Topics covered
- workplace culture
- employee connection
- rituals
- collaboration
- HR practices
Keywords
- Starbucks
- workplace culture
- coffee
- HR
- employee engagement
- rituals
- connection
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Starbucks, SHRM
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