Steve Jobs truly is one of the greatest leadership icons of our times. His life and innovation journey is something that is an inspiration to all tech and non-tech world. Though an autocratic visionary, his leadership and entrepreneurial saga is worth learning from. He is often compared with the pantheon of America’s greatest innovators -Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Walt Disney. These personalities weren’t politicians or saints yet they applied imagination to technology, business and leadership to create history for others to look upto.
In Steve Jobs’s biography, Walter Isaacson, the author has shared facts and testimony of his ideologies and also perspectives of his friends, associates and adversaries. Sharing top 3 lessons from Isaacson’s book which can help you clear the clutter around you.
- Simplicity -Steve said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Jobs believed that simplicity that comes from conquering, rather than ignoring complexity. A product (apple phones and lap tops etc) which people queue up to buy every year when a new model is launched is a true site to watch. A sleek looking, productive product that every artist or innovator wants to own is based on fundamental premise of simplicity of use. As a leader if we can emulate this lesson while working with team of subject matter experts, consultants or even hiring the best talents, we can experience more ease and success.
- Don’t be slaves to Focus Groups/Market Trends – Biggest trend introduced by Jobs is creating something that the customers didn’t dream of, in the tech creativity space… While a lot of effort is invested in finding what the customer wants, less time is spent on how something can be created that every one wants to own as a mark of their excellence. It is critical to be a dreamer to be a leader; if the desire to create a better vision of tomorrow doesn’t compel you, you need to step down from leadership honours.
- Bend Reality -Steve Jobs would help his teams go from impossible to possible. The ability to distort for bending reality in attempt to create the best outcomes in products and solutions. Impossible was never an answer for Steve. Believing on what you can usher in, is as good as your imaginative capabilities. As a leader if you want innovation in your team, you need to break out of conventions. Do you inspire your team and yourself to dream big and break stereotypes to dare to build something that people want to be part of …almost like a movement.
Which of these 3 lessons would you like to try out in coming week and how! Do share with us your experience incase you have already experimented any of these practices.
drsonaliduttabaanerjee 