A visionary by nature, Steve Jobs believed in creating products that instilled a need among consumers. The title “father of revolution” is apt for him as Apple designed some of the unique products and left their legacy for the other companies to follow. The journey of Apple was a roller-coaster one. It is only after Steve Jobs became the CEO of Apple in 1995 that Apple saw its way up in the market of PCs and consumer electronics. Steve Jobs prided Apple as a vertically integrated company. The hub and spoke model of Apple with hardware (Mac) as hub and software (iTunes software) as spoke helped in creating a niche for Apple.
The exemplary leadership of Steve Jobs took Apple to great heights. His ideology made the Apple innovative, stylish and premium class. Some of the ideologies of Steve that are learning lessons for other are:
Focus: Focus is important for any business to sustain and survive. As quoted by Steve Jobs, “deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do”. The companies should filter out all the distractions that prevent from achieving the goal.
Simplify: Steve Jobs believed in simplifying things for customers. Simplicity is conquering and not ignoring complexities.
Take responsibility end to end: leaders should take responsibility for all the aspects of business.
When behind, leapfrog: innovation is not only about new ideas first; it also looks for a jump when left behind the competition. Apple was left behind in the market of CDs. It did a leapfrog by introducing iPods, iTunes, which would take the other companied somea time to catch up.
Put products before profits: leaders should never run after the profit; if your product is innovative and unique; profits would follow. Don’t be a slave to focus groups: leaders need to intuitive besides being intellect.
Bend reality: leaders should push the limits of the employees and make them believe that there is nothing impossible for them.
Impute: A good idea always is an advantage; but the presentation of the same is very important to leave your trail.
Engage face to face: leaders should promote more meetings in person than through electronic media. It helps in better coordination and communication.
Know both the big picture & details: leader should be able to perceive things at an organisational level as well as at the level of product.
Stay hungry, stay foolish: leaders should always look out for more opportunities and be ready to exploit those.
