It is over a year now since Steve Jobs died, and his
biography by Walter Isaacson continues to be a best seller. Many business
people have read it seeking inspiration and guidance and views
The web article below looks at different people’s take aways
from Job’s and his approach; you can even take a test to see if you are an
acolyte or a rejecter.
Personally, I wouldn’t want my life to be covered so fully
in a book (Well people would find it tedious any way) but I suppose if you are
as famous as Steve Jobs, you know it’s going to happen anyway. Nevertheless, I
think it is admirable that he was willing to be so open. Interestingly, Jobs
was a very spiritual person and did see his work from that perspective, seeing
his work as “making a dent in the universe”.
What can we take from his example? His clarity of vision and
single minded focus is very impressive. I think it is a trait of most
successful people and undoubtedly most of us could benefit from a bit more
focus. His sense of taste and design is also impressive, I’ve got an Ipod Nano
and it is a beautiful piece of kit and the whole Itunes thing works so well.
But I think this is probably something you are essentially born with. No doubt
I could improve my aesthetic side but .......
His brash aggressive personal style comes in for a lot of
comment. As a business coach, I spend a lot of time trying to persuade managers
that staff will respond better (generally) to praise and encouragement than
criticism, so I did find his approach difficult to take on board. That said,
Steve Jobs was undeniably successful and many of his staff loved him, so I
guess that gives me some food for thought!! I have been working with a number
of businesses in the fashion sector (Many people who know me will be reading
this with mounting disbelief!!) One key issue in that field is learning to take
criticism about one’s design work without taking it personally. How do you
learn to take a deep breathe and then try to respond positively to the
comments. So I think Job’s style was particularly well suited to the high
design element field? I wonder how it would have translated onto a building
site or factory floor?
Finally, I wonder if it’s right to come at this as an
acolyte or rejecter. Job’s biography is a good read and I recommend it. I think
there are some interesting aspects to his personal style that are worth
thinking about. But at the end of the day, we are all unique, so thine own self
be true. I don’t think taking on another persons’ leadership style is going to
be any substitute to being the best version of you as possible, and actually I
think Jobs would agree, well if I was brave enough to ask him that is
So what do you think?
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