Steve Jobs - leadership model

“While some 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.”

We study in organizational behavior about Leadership. The qualities that an ideal leader should possess in order to be successful. Today we had a session where we saw Leadership in a completely different light.

Professor Gael McDonald, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law), Professor - School of Management and Marketing from Deakin University Australia walked us through “Leadership lessons” by connecting it to the man who personified it all – Steve Jobs.

She opened the presentation by showing the now famous logo of “The Bitten Apple” only that the bitten part had the face of Steve Jobs inscribed in it. That said it all. The life of the man who captured the imagination of corporate houses around the world was going to be discussed in a whole new perspective.

 She told the audience that there are “14 keys to success” namely Focus, simplify, When Behind, Leapfrog, Put Products Before Profits, Bend Reality, Stay Hungry and Stay Foolish to name a few. Each quality was explained with something that Jobs had showcased during his tenure with Apple and Pixar. 

One of the most striking concept was 'Leap-Frog'. Steve jobs, immediately after the enormous success of the i-pod released the i-phone into the market. Now the i-phone with all the features of the i-pod plus more took the market by storm. Hence by self-cannibalizing one of their own most successful products, Apple prevented outside players from eating their market share. This was one of the best strategies ever.

While mentioning the qualities that are required for leadership, Prof. McDonald highlighted the importance of keeping things simple. She recalled an incident where Jobs met one of the founders of Xerox for making a mouse that had only a single button instead of three.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Many such incidents were shared with an enthralled audience. A thought provoking session came to an end by giving the sales figures and the profits earned by Apple Inc in the first quarter of 2012.

 These facts struck a chord with us. The concept of Leadership was portrayed through the life of the man who transformed a sick and ailing company into the world's most valuable publicly traded company in 2011. The session left us all with one thought i.e, to

“Think Different”

                                                           By Nikhil P, Rahul Sukumaran (Team Colloquia Members)