Confident Communication Tips: The Starbucks Effect

Have you ever experienced the Starbucks effect? I know what you're thinking. What in the world is the Starbucks effect? Have you ever been to a Starbucks, any coffee shop, or any restaurant and not been able to order the coffee that you wanted or give your name? If you have, then you've experienced the Starbucks effect. We're going to talk about this effect, how it has impacted you, how it continues to impact you, and what you can do about it.

What exactly is the Starbucks Effect, and how does it impact you?

Well, if you've had the experience of going into a Starbucks and knowing that you want the mocha grande or whatever it is but having trouble ordering the coffee, you anticipated not being able to say that word, or maybe you're able to order the coffee, but you know they're going to ask you your name, and I'm not going to be able to give them my name. This happens in any situation where you know you have to speak, even under minimal pressure, and you get anxious. You've created what we call the Starbucks Effect.

It happens whenever you think about speaking and start to feel a bit anxious. Why are you anxious? It is because of your previous experiences at Starbucks. You start thinking, "I don't think I'll be able to say, "Mocha Grande," or "I know that I have to give my name, but I don't think I’ll be able to say it," so you experience this effect of feeling anxious and anticipating the worst just by thinking about going to a restaurant or coffee shop."

Solving the Starbucks Effect

To understand the Starbucks Effect and solve it, look to anticipation. The word "anticipate" is neutral, right? We can positively anticipate something and look forward to it happening, or we can negatively anticipate something and worry about it. We can dread it and start to feel anxious about it, but anticipating itself is neutral, so the anticipation effect says that you have a situation in which you're going to be speaking and you're going to be saying something.

When you solve the Starbucks Effect, you are also helping in high-stress situations. Think about a presentation, talking to friends or family, giving an update in a meeting, introducing yourself, or whatever it is you're going to be speaking about. You can either anticipate the worst—you say, "Oh, if I have to say this word, I anticipate that I'm going to have trouble because I had trouble"—or you can anticipate the best!

I have a little acronym that I’m using: You get mad at anticipation. Want to learn more? Tryself-studyor 1:1 coaching. You will not regret it. We offer exercises for the Starbucks effect and more.