Steve Jobs' Leadership Lesson 5 - Put Products Before Profits

Jobs' view was that Apple should be "an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products. Everything else was secondary.  Sure it was great to make a profit, because that was what allowed you to make great products.  But the products, not the profits, were the motivation".  Isaacson sees the leadership lesson as "put product before profits", but isn't this too narrow for a leadership lesson?  Doesn't this reflect Jobs' staying true to Apple's purpose (see Lesson 1 - Focus)?

An organisation (company, team, government) needs a clear purpose and must stay true to it.  This doesn't mean that all other aspects are ignored.  The organisation must continue to exist if it is to achieve its purpose, but mere existence is not its reason for being.

Next: Lesson 6 - Don't Be a Slave to Focus Groups

*Adapted from "The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson, in hbr.org.