It’s the first day on the job for new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, and expectations are high. Niccol explained that he carries a “beat-up notebook” with him to outline and track his progress toward his career goals. Trusting his gut and believing in his ability to succeed, Niccol said, has made the biggest difference in his career up to this point. “There will be times in your career when your gut will be tingling,” he said, noting that he had that feeling when he left Taco Bell to become Chipotle’s CEO in 2018. Niccol used a 5-word phrase in a phone screening with former Starbucks chair Mellody Hobson to illustrate his confidence and preparedness for the job.

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