Leadership Principles
Ready — Quick! Think of a visionary leader who made a lasting impact on their industry over the last half century. No doubt many of you, maybe most, thought of Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. He exemplified a leadership style that can’t be copied, but we can learn some principles from him to apply in our own way.
Set — Jobs was known for his blunt, often harsh, demand for perfection. While his style was controversial, it drove Apple to produce groundbreaking products, which made it the leader in its field. Reflect on these core principles that drove both his personal and professional life.
Thinking Big: Steve Jobs possessed an uncanny ability to foresee the future of technology and consumer needs. This foresight wasn’t just about anticipating market trends; it was about creating products that people didn’t even know they needed until they used them. Jobs once said, “People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”
Pursuing Perfection: Jobs was notorious for his perfectionism, believing in the importance of every detail, no matter how small. This pursuit at times drove his employees nuts. For example, he insisted that even the parts of Apple products that were not visible to consumers should be beautiful. This principle extended to his demand for the highest quality in everything Apple did, from product design to marketing.
Focusing on Simplicity: One of Jobs’ key principles was maintaining a laser-sharp focus on what truly mattered. He spoke about the importance of saying “no” to a thousand things to ensure that Apple could focus on the few that were truly important. This focus was coupled with a drive for simplicity. Jobs believed that simplicity was the ultimate sophistication, and this was reflected in Apple’s product designs and user interfaces.
Inspiring Followers: Jobs was an inspiring leader. He had the ability to inspire his team to achieve the impossible, often pushing them beyond their perceived limits.
Aligning Resources: Jobs ability to align his company’s resources towards a clear vision was a cornerstone of his leadership. It’s one thing to have an audacious idea, but quite another to get the ducks-in-a-row regarding people, money, and energy.
Grow! — Steve Jobs’ leadership principles not only propelled Apple to unprecedented success but also left an indelible mark on the broader business world. Pick one of these principles and work on making it part of your own life and work this month. You’ll be glad you did, and so will those who follow your leadership.