Steve Jobs possess many leadership qualities. He is known as being motivational. His presentation of new Apple products creates a “rock star” type atmosphere. Jobs is usually positioned in front of a giant screen and demonstrates his newest release. He can excite customers into waiting in line for days outside retail stores for these new products. He also possesses the quality of an innovator. His visionary mission results in creative and high quality products, which make him a leader in the industry. Resilience is a quality that he sustains through professional rejection and personal health problems.
A turning point for Steve Jobs was when he was fired from Apple on September 6, 1985, because of disagreements over the company’s future. The company that he started was no longer his; he was forced to make difficult decisions about his future. Another turning point for Jobs was when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During his 2005 Stanford Commencement speech, he honestly acknowledges not even knowing what a pancreas was before his diagnosis. He informed his employees in 2004 of his health problems, but continued to stand as the face of Apple at important speaking events.
Jobs’ was able to overcome his removal from Apple in 1985. He came to see this unexpected challenge as an opportunity instead of an obstacle. It gave him the freedom to be creative without the risk of corporate pressures. He created NeXT Computer, Inc. and purchased Pixar from George Lucas. Pixar was an enormous success, and Apple thereafter purchased NeXT. Jobs’ clear vision is what brought Apple back from the brink of liquidation. He had the vision to restructure their products, eliminate staff, and lead the company to where he always wanted it to be. He turned a job loss into a success with perseverance and attitude. The lesson learned from his health scare is yet to be written. A liver transplant in 2009 was followed by news of an excellent prognosis, but he has yet to fully discuss its impact on his life.
StanfordUniversity (2008, March 7) Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement
Address [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=steve+jobs&aq=f
Steve Jobs and Mike Krzyzewski share passion as a common thread. Exhibiting passion for what they enjoy and where they innately excel has helped catapult both men to success. Even though their vocations are very different, they share other essential leadership qualities that have undoubtedly aided in their acquired success.
ReplyDeleteSuccess did not happen immediately for either Coach K or Steve Jobs. Both individuals persevered through difficulties to realize their dreams in the sports and business worlds respectively. Mike Krzyzewski has shared his leadership qualities and success strategies with business executives. In fact, his leadership often transcends the basketball court and enters into the Boardroom. Steve Jobs and Mike Krzyzewski reveal a staunch commitment to their beliefs and to the organizations that have provided an opportunity for them to be successful.
Steve Jobs and Randy Pausch seem to be a lot in common. They both are larger than life characters that lived in contemporary times and are leaders in their fields. They both also suffered from the same medical diagnosis, although the disease took the life of Randy Pausch in 2008. Another common characteristic is that they were both in the technology field, although their careers took different paths. I wonder if they ever had the opportunity to meet each other? It wouldn’t be a surprise if their lives crossed paths at some point.
ReplyDeleteSteve Jobs is a motivational promoter that definitely commands "rock star" attention. He is a visionary and ideast that keeps millions of loyal followers watching and waiting for his next innovation. While I am not one to stand in line to purchase the latest Apple product, Steve Jobs pioneering spirit has me Googling his presentations and products to find out more on where technology is headed. His leadership qualities come not only from his vision, but his persistence. Apple's loyal customers buy the initial release of a product not only to have the latest and greatest but because of a faith in Steve Jobs that the company will offer remedies to any bugs. Jobs understands that it is the combination of innovation and dedication that has put his company where it is today. It is apparent how much his leadership qualities are valued by the fluctuation of Apple stocks based on Jobs' health. He is one of the most influential leaders in shaping world communication and technology.
ReplyDeleteRose - It looks like great minds think alike! I never knew about Steve Jobs' battle with cancer but while I was reading these posts I was comparing him to Randy Pausch. Both men faced life threatening diseases yet continued with their vision and remained upbeat and positive. To think of Randy Pausch still gives me goose bumps. He was a teacher at my alma mater Carnegie Mellon. Unfortunately he arrived after I graduated. If memory server, Steve Jobs was also in a partnership with Carnegie Mellon doing something with the UNIX operating system, while I was there.
ReplyDeleteI also was thinking of Bill Gates as I was reading about Steve Jobs. Both individuals left college and became incredibly successful business owners and innovators. Intelligence and a vision for the future are common qualities that successful leaders possess. Steve Jobs is definitely a creator and has a unique view of the future. His perseverance and drive enabled him to pick up at the low points of his life and keep moving. He is definitely an inspiration and a fine example of a positive leader.
Chris, Steve Jobs exemplifies all the characteristics of great leaders. While it is difficult to compare his style and techniques to the leader that I chose to blog, Walt Disney, there is no debating that both these great business leaders share common bonds of true leaders. I have read the often talked about “4 Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs” and when I review his secrets to success there are several similarities to Disney’s secrets to success. 1. Put a Dent in the Universe, 2. Sell Dreams, Not Products, 3. Say No to 1,000 Things, and 4. Create Insanely Great Experiences. While number three does not fit in Disney’s business structure, the other three secrets to Job’s success have been the blue print to the Disney Empire for nearly 75 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is this the unique ability of great leaders, to gain deep insight into their customers and to provide a vision, purpose, and dream that speaks to their unspoken desires and aspirations. Steve Jobs and Walt Disney have perfected this ability.