Starbucks’ Secrets for Building Culture Through Everyday Rituals

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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