"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." ~ Steve Jobs
It is unquestionably wiser to have a trade character, rather than an individual represent a corporation. (For example, Geico’s gecko can symbolize with little chance of a scandal.) At a time when many corporate, political and athletic figures have destroyed their careers, Jobs’ public persona remains unblemished. A public technology guru and “cheerleader” for almost 40 years, he symbolizes persistence, creativity and vision; there are many who worship Jobs.
While publically charming, stories abound about Jobs abusing his employees. (It is rumored that he once fired someone in a crowded elevator.) A meticulous micro-manager, one who desires total control, Jobs informally visits people at all levels of Apple and Pixar and asks the difficult questions. A perfectionist who works at pushing people to create great things, he is un-accepting of anything less. Jobs’ control allows both Apple and Pixar to deliver products that consumers love, but did not realize they wanted.
Job’s capacity to continuously engineer great products in the ever-changing technology industry for almost forty years is truly remarkable. As a leader, Jobs has attempted to do much more than just sell computer hardware; he encourages people to “do great things”. Apple’s “Think Different” campaign encourages change and potential. In fact, there is no product reference. The following text is read over the video while we see images of prominent historical figures (Maria Callas, Bob Dylan, and Frank Lloyd Wright, to name a few):
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
References:
Levy, S. (1994). Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
Price, D. A. (2008). The PIXAR Touch: The Making of a Company. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
3 comments:
Steve and Rev Graham are "change agents." They assess the changing world around them, then are catalysts in introducing their "product" that ill result in a positive change in the lives of the people they touch.
I think they differ in the area of relationships. Jobs appears to be more critical of others as he strives for perfectionism in both himself and those around him. Graham strives for and promotes to strive toward perfectionism, but accepts that we are human and not spiritually capable of true perfection.
Steve Jobs, Sam Walton, Rev Billy Graham and Michael Jordan all seem to be successful at representing their various corporations/causes. Jobs and Walton have chosen the business world. Jordan has excelled in both the sports and business world and Billy Graham the spiritual world.
One trait they all have in common is that they try to give back. Sam Walton has many different charitable causes at home and abroad. Michael Jordan started the Jordan Institute to help families. Billy Graham created the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that ministers and provides evangelistic training. The Steve and Steve Jobs Foundation is helping farmers in poor countries. At the end of their life I am sure these leaders will look back, and be most proud of the people they helped.
I think Steve Jobs uses change to promote advances in society and risk taking. He sees change as a necessary component of advancing into the future. He embraces it and his company follows his lead. Jobs takes risks to embrace change in order for his quest to reach perfection.
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