If the Shoe Fits: Steve Jobs
by Miki SaxonWednesday saw the loss of the entrepreneurs’ entrepreneur, Steve Jobs.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about role models and mentioned that in some areas Steve Jobs wasn’t the best person to model.
Thursday I received an email suggesting I delete that post since Jobs had died.
I refused and explained that nothing had changed with his death.
While there is no question that Jobs was an extraordinary visionary; brilliant at creating the future and championing design as a development tool; exceptional as a marketer and his presentations are legendary, none of that changes or excuses his management style, which could be devastating.
Visionary leadership doesn’t preclude the ability to create a passionate culture that enhances employees, rather than diminishing them.
There is no doubt that Apple will miss Jobs, but there are many employees who will be relieved not to find themselves alone on the elevator with him even as the reason saddens them.
Which parts of Steve Jobs will you choose to emulate?
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October 17th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Absoloutely terrific . Clear and to the point.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:16 am
[…] Often when I call startup bosses for yelling at their people they respond by saying something to the effect that if it was good enough for Steve Jobs it’s good enough for them—forgetting that from a management prospective Jobs is a lousy role model. […]