Steve Jobs as a Transformational leader

A transformational leader is a person that lays his/her goals out and takes extraordinary measures to accomplish them. Their goals usually focus on the well being of the situation and their people. They strive to change the views of others and convince followers that the ethical behavior is morally correct of the leader’s. An example of an exceptional leader would be Steve Jobs, the current CEO/co-founder of Apple Inc. Jobs is considered a leading figurehead in both the entertainment and computer industry. “Steve Jobs is listed as Fortune Magazine’s most powerful businessman of 2007 out of twenty-five other top businessmen” (Wikipedia). Steve Jobs has made a large impact on our contemporary society due to his contributions, accomplishments he brought forth into the business world, and his tough managerial style.

First of all, Steve Jobs is known for many contributions to the world of business but the noteworthy input was that he introduced Apple Inc. Apple is an American multinational corporation that focuses on innovative designing and manufacturing consumer electronics. Apple develops and sells personal computers, digital media players, computer software, cellular phones, and other electronic accessories. Throughout the past few years Apple is greatly known for their leading product: Apple iPod. With this contribution he pioneered digital technology to the masses. “As a visionary, he saw that computers could be much more than drab productivity tools. Instead, they could help unleash human creativity and sheer enjoyment” (Burrows).

With the success of the iPod Job’s dominated the music business with the music player and iTunes online music store. iTunes along brought forth a net revenue of 2 and a half billion dollars in only several months (Sellers). Job’s vision turned into a worldwide phenomenon opening the eyes of every competitor that doubted Apple’s ability. Jobs lived in the technological era that took place in the 21’st century. In such a short time frame Jobs periodically saw the shift in technology where in a time span of only 20 years humans have developed easier methods of improving their standards of life. Job’s witnessed this phenomenon and how it reshaped businesses, labour, production, demographics, etc… During his time he foresaw where computers were at an introductory state and still continues to live where they are at a peak level. Computers are almost becoming a necessity in this market where Jobs can utilize this aspect as his competitive advantage. “In 2002, personal computers were a $220-billion industry” (Wikipedia).

Job’s most notable accomplishment was when he brought Apple back into the world where consumers were embracing technology as it evolved. Job’s introduced the iMac. The strategic selling point of Apple entering this market with a personal device that had one simple unique choice that wasn’t explored before with any other competitor: design. Job’s knew that this approach would hold a competitive advantage for several years, which turned out to be correct. The iMac was the only lead for Apple’s chance for a more profitable future. “The iMac sold close to 800,000 units in its first five months and helped return the company to sustained profitability for the first time since 1993.” (Wikiedpia).

Certainly Jobs is a contemporary icon in the world. He has successfully managed and operated not one but two successful companies, Apple and Pixar. It is highly debatable if his management philosophy is acceptable in the 21st century. Jobs is known for his “demanding and aggressive” personality (Wikipedia). Macworld reports that Job’s tends to run his business in a very autocratic sense where all the decisions are made unilaterally. “And if one person must make all the final decisions, Jobs is an excellent choice. And when he does foul one off (as with the design of the original flat-screen iMac) or strike out entirely (the G4 Cube), he moves on immediately” (Siracusa). Currently the executives at Apple are more feared of Steve Jobs rather than by their own intrinsic factors.

The only effective alteration strategy that permits the autocratic system into a more demographic style would only read “What Would Steve Do?” (Siracusa). During the past 50 years the autocratic style has been used less and less and criticized more often. It is well known that a company who demonstrates this philosophy will have higher turnover and increased absenteeism than other companies. Now companies adopt the more modern permissive and interactive style. However Job’s may never be outmatched by a single entity but due to his unique and aggressive style he single-handedly enhanced an entire organization, something the world never anticipated.

When comparing Jobs to historical thinkers it is evident that he clearly shadows Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli’s The Prince is a highly controversial book that outlines Machiavelli’s idea on effective leadership. In the pre-industrial era Machiavelli wrote this piece to give advice on how a “prince” would stay in power, to keep power, and how to obtain power. An important issue that Machiavelli touches on is the idea on how princes should keep faith. Machiavelli suggests whether it would be better to be loved or feared. He notes it “is much safer to be feared than loved” (The Prince, 4). As mentioned earlier, Jobs runs his company in a very autocratic sense where the current executives are more feared by Jobs rather then anything else in the company. When comparing Jobs to Machiavelli it is apparent that they both possess similar traits. Job’s reshaped the market for cellular phones when Apple first introduced the iPhone.

The new innovative phone was targeted towards early adopters where they would pay an obscene amount of money for the product. The early adopters helped drive the initial iPhone sales. However, it was suggested that these sales were heading towards a downhill drought. “By bestowing $100 Apple Store gift cards upon previous buyers, Jobs is playing the part of the benevolent dictator, appeasing the early adopters whom he cruelly made pay more for their iPhones. On one hand, it mollifies those who were most upset, while on the other, it’s hardly going to negate the huge margins Apple realized from those early sales. It’s a win-win situation for Apple, generating more good press and making Jobs seem beneficent.”(Duprey). This strategic plan deviates to Machiavelli idea; “He who will, therefore, carefully examine the actions of this man will find him a most valiant lion and a most cunning fox.” (The Prince, 6).

Regards to this concept, Jobs resembles the fox because of his ability to “dodge snares” from the angered early adopters that were affected by the high prices. On the other hand he bears a resemblance to a lion because Jobs is considered to be a symbol of courage. A prince must be able to stand up against his customers. By giving the $100 gift cards, Jobs is continuously driving customers into his store where they can continue to purchase more Apple merchandise. It is a determined advancement that Machiavelli would immediately identify. As Machiavelli noted, “And well-ordered states and wise princes have taken every care not to drive the nobles to desperation, and to keep the people satisfied and contented, for this is one of the most important objects a prince can have.” (The Prince, 11). It is no doubt that Machiavelli and Jobs serve a natural resemblance in the way they lead and govern. “But Jobs might also be called its Machiavelli, a man who can bend suppliers, partners, and even industries to his will.” (Schlender)

In conclusion, Steve Jobs makes a very extraordinary leader of his time. Jobs was partly responsible for introducing the multinational corporation known as Apple Inc to the masses. As a visionary he not only pioneered his own unique products but he visualized his success by reshaping the technologic era. Jobs shows a exclusive style of managing his company using his autocratic methods. The quick decisions that Jobs demonstrates are extremely important in every aspect of the company and business. Seeing an economical gap or spotting great opportunities are areas where Steve Jobs can utilize his abilities to bring accomplishments to Apple.

He saw a flaw in the computer industry and introduced the iMac that took the world by surprise and generated the first increase in revenue since 1993. When comparing Steve Jobs to a historical thinker he clearly shadows the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli. He orchestrates his organization in fear, not the fear that drives employees away but the fear of failure. At Apple failure isn’t an option for Steve Jobs. An idealized leader as shown as role models, and finally changing the view of people. Jobs went beyond to achieve their goals and in some cases there were consequences for each leader’s actions, but a mutual gain for their integrity. To what does Steve Jobs owe for his success? – The brilliant mind that is personified by characteristics of a gambler and the characteristics of a leader.

WORKS CITED

Burrows, Peter. Steve Jobs: He Thinks Different. 1 Nov. 2004.

BusinessWeek. 08 March. 2008http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_44/b3906025_mz072.htmDuprey, Rich. Steve Jobs: The Prince of CEOs. 10 Sept. 2007.

The Motley Fool. 08 March. 2008 Machiavelli, Niccolo. Part 1: Ancient to Pre-Industrial The PrinceProject Gutenberg, 08 March. 2008Schlender, Brent. The Power of Steve Jobs. 27 Nov. 2007CNN: FORTUNE. 08 March. 2008http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/21/news/newsmakers/power_jobs.fortune/index.htmSellers, Dennis. 2005 in review. 30 Dec. 2005MacsimumNews. 08 March.