What I Learned from Leaders – PART 1

I believe that the essence of a leadership role is to set the direction for a company’s progress and unite people around a clear purpose or goal through credible actions, effective communication of values, and motivation. It’s about providing the right support and empowering individuals on the journey.

While exploring the world of leadership, I was particularly inspired by Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, who, from 1976 to 2011, helped transform seven industries. He played a pivotal role in reshaping the personal computer, animated film, music, phone, tablet, retail, and digital publishing sectors.

By studying his work and legacy, I’ve distilled key lessons that I’d like to share with you.

In his work, especially during crisis management and in bringing Apple back to prominence in 1997, Steve Jobs made a powerful turnaround in the company’s development and the industry by staying focused. His belief was that a company can only effectively focus on NO MORE THAN TWO OR THREE PRIORITIES if it wants to remain efficient and make meaningful progress. This approach was evident in his communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. He consistently prioritized keeping the focus on content and outcomes.

The core principle Steve Jobs emphasized in all aspects of his business development, product creation, and presentations was: “Simplicity is the ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION.”‘ This principle is embedded in Apple’s very first marketing brochure, and it resonates in everything the company produces. However, we also recognize how much time, energy, inspiration, thought, and revision it takes to achieve such a level of simplicity.

He envisioned that all of Apple’s devices should be seamlessly interconnected, so users wouldn’t have to waste time thinking about how to integrate their computers and other Apple devices. Instead, they should view APPLE as a RESPONSIBLE PARTNER that handles everything for them. This sense of responsibility was evident in every aspect of product development, whether visible to the user or something they would never see.

In building an innovative company, he believed it wasn’t enough for the company to simply generate new ideas; they had to remain vigilant to market trends and act decisively when needed. The success of this approach is evident in the release of new APPLE products whenever the competition starts to catch up. As he put it: “If you make something that’s pretty good, you should make SOMETHING EVEN BETTER, not rest on the first success for too long. You need to plan the next step.”

1. CHOOSE which of these principles you want to apply – NOW.
2. TEST them and learn from the insights you gain.
3. SHARE what you’ve learned and spread it further.