Thursday, 17 May 2012

The Real Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs!


Here, in summary, are the general leadership lessons form Walter Isaacson's blog piece*.
A good leader:

  1. Clearly articulates the intent of the organisation and ensures the whole organisation understands it, and conducts itself in accordance with that purpose and mission.
  2. Understands the essence of the organisation's purpose and eschews activities and complications that absorb people's time and spirit, and wastes organisational resources.
  3. Ensures that the organisation takes responsibility for its complete value chain - from its suppliers' suppliers to its customers' customers.
  4. Encourages continuous improvement and couples this with "breakthrough" innovation 
  5. Guides the organisation so that it remains true to its intent, purpose, mission and values
  6. Thinks in terms of what people need, not what they want; makes a difference to the world.
  7. Knows that people have more in them than they realise.  To rise to a challenge they must be motivated, and the motivation comes from their leader's confidence that they can do so.
  8. Addresses not just the material needs of his/her follower, but considers (and uses to advantage) their emotional and spiritual needs.
  9. Want his/her followers to have pride in their work.  This pride motivates them to do great deeds.
  10. Expects his/her followers to do great things.

This is the beginning of the statement of my personal philosophy of leadership, mentoring and coaching.


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

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