Inside Starbucks’ Digital Revolution and the Leadership Lessons Behind It

In this revealing and deeply personal conversation, Kevin Rice sits down with Adam Brotman, renowned digital innovator, CEO of Forum3, and former Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, to explore how great leadership begins at home.

Adam shares the untold story behind Starbucks’ digital transformation, the strategy that reshaped the way millions of customers order coffee and connect with brands and the lessons that came from leading that change. From architecting mobile order and pay to stepping into the co-CEO role at J.Crew, Adam opens up about the costs of burnout, the courage to set boundaries, and the decision to become a primary parent.

Together, Kevin and Adam dive into the evolution of leadership, learning through failure, and the transition from ambition to purpose. They discuss how COVID redefined presence, why Zoom parenting became a gift in disguise, and what it means to raise grounded, creative children in an AI-native world. Adam also reflects on the values he hopes to pass on to his daughter, to be a good listener, a good learner, and a good friend and how those same principles guide his leadership today.

Whether you’re leading a company, navigating burnout, or redefining success beyond your career, this episode offers both practical wisdom and heart-centered reflection on what it truly means to build a meaningful life.

In this episode, you’ll learn
• How Starbucks’ digital flywheel became a blueprint for connection
• The warning signs of burnout and how to realign with purpose
• Why setting boundaries is a leadership superpower
• How becoming a parent reshapes your definition of success
• The lessons COVID taught us about presence and flexibility
• How to prepare your kids for an AI-driven future
• Why authenticity and reflection create stronger leaders

Top takeaways
• Great leadership starts with self-awareness and boundaries
• Burnout is a signal to realign, not a failure
• Parenting teaches empathy, patience, and humility, the same skills that drive effective teams
• The future of work will favor creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
• Legacy is built through presence, not performance

About Adam Brotman
Adam Brotman is the co-founder and CEO of Forum3, author of AI First, and a celebrated digital innovator best known for architecting Starbucks’ digital transformation, including mobile order and pay. He previously served as co-CEO of J.Crew and co-founded Brightloom, a restaurant technology company. A proud father and husband, Adam is passionate about creating meaningful customer experiences and about helping the next generation prepare for a rapidly changing world.

00:00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Personal Life
00:08:54 Leadership Lessons from Early Career Experiences
00:14:49 The Evolution of Leadership Style
00:20:43 The Impact of COVID on Parenting and Work
00:23:52 The Future of Work and Parenting
00:26:32 Digital Transformation at Starbucks
00:29:38 Preparing the Next Generation for the Future
00:32:49 Core Values and Family Dynamics
00:35:38 Conclusion and Reflections on the Journey