1. A Transformational Leader
Steve Jobs
Mariah Callender
What Exemplifies Jobs Leadership
Biography
• Steve Jobs was bon in San Francisco, California on February 24, 1955 to
two University of Wisconsin graduate students who gave him up for
adoption.
• He was adopted by Clara and Paul Jobs
• In high school was were Jobs found his future partner, Steve Wozniac,
who once said “We both loved electronics and the way we used to hook up
digital chips…very few people, especially back then had any idea what
chips were, how they worked, and what they could do” (Wozniac, 2007).
• Jobs dropped out of college after one semester at Reed College.
• At the age of 21, he and Wozniac started Apple computers.
• Apple was extremely successful and became publicly traded in 1980.
• Shortly after that, Apple began to struggle and executives believed that
Jobs was hurting the company.
• Jobs resigned as Apple’s CEO in 1985 and began his own company called
NeXT Inc.
• Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 and is thought to have been the cause of
Apple’s revitalization.
• Since Jobs return, “Apple has been ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s
list of ‘America’s Most Admired Companies,’ as well as No. 1 among
Fortune 500 Companies for returns to shareholders” (A+E Networks, 2014).
• Jobs was diagnosed with a rare type of pancreatic cancer in 2003, but
kept his personal life very private.
• On October 5, 2011 Jobs passed away after battling cancer for nearly a
decade at the age of 56.
Steve Jobs
1955-2011
• Jobs was extremely self-sufficient and knew his own capabilities at an
early age.
• Jobs was one of the most innovative and creative individuals of his time.
He was extremely creative by beginning Apple computers at such a young
age, but he continued to show his innovativeness and ability to create
products unlike any other year after year.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”
– Steve Jobs
• He also constantly encouraged all of his employees to be as creative and
innovative as he tried to be
What Makes a Transformational Leader
Transformational Leadership: someone who motivates by transforming
the identities and goals of individuals to
coincide with those of the group.
(Burns & Pearson, 2012, p. 23)
“…leaders who are passionate about their work, who develop an ability to
focus on things that matter most, and exercise unwavering resolve in their
decisions have a greater opportunity to influence those around them and
effect change in their followers, their organization and even in
themselves” (Bass, B.M. 2007 p.1)
Transformational Leader Factors:
• Stimulates innovation and creativeness
• Challenges followers
• Supportive climate
• Act as coaches and advisors to encourage self – actualization and focuses
on “transforming”
•Creates valuable and positive change
(WordPress, 2003, p. 2)
Steve Jobs’ Actions
There were many situations and actions that Jobs took and showed that he
was a transformational leader. Below is a list of examples of the way Jobs
responded to situations or acted upon things that prove this.
• Jobs at the age of 21 started his own business with high school friend,
Steve Wozniac.
• Jobs returned to Apple Inc. with enthusiasm and energy in 1997 after
resigning two years earlier.
• Jobs showed a strong passion as the CEO of Apple Inc.
“Steve jobs highly encouraged innovation and creativity among
his Apple employees, a key element of intellectual
stimulation.” (ThePachamamaAlliance, 2014, p. 1)
• Steve Jobs showed an extreme amount of passion for what he did. This
was shown by Jobs returning to Apple after he had resigned because he
knew that it was where he belonged and what he was meant to do. He also
showed his passion on a day to day basis by presenting new ideas, staying
at work through his battle with cancer, as well as verbally expressing his
love for his career fairly often.
“The most clear lessons that leaders can learn from Steve Jobs
is his deep passion for his work, his extreme focus and
unwavering resolve in his decision making” (Bass, B.M., 2007,
p. 1)
“He admits, himself, in a speech to a group of graduating
students from Stanford University, that he found what he
loves to do early in life.” (Bass, B.M. & Jobs, 2005, p. 1)
• He was extremely focused on his products and his customers that he was
selling his products too.
• After finding out he had cancer, he continued to put others before him.
• While battling cancer, he was only absent 2-3 times over a 10 year
period.
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Innovations and Designs
• Macintosh computer in 1984
• NeXT computer in 1985
• iMac in 1998
• iPod in 2001
• iPhone in 2005
• Jobs had the ability to stay very focused on the task in front of him. He
was extremely good at designing one product at a time and making it a
best seller. He knew what he wanted and was able to stay focused and get
it done.
• Jobs was also known for pushing his employees, and sometimes even a
little too far. Jobs was said to have been harsh on his employees at times
and caught yelling at them from time to time. I think this is an example of
Jobs pushing his employees to their full potential and became frustrated
with them when he knew they were not reaching that full potential.
• When Jobs had resigned from the CEO position at Apple Inc., he began
another company called NeXT, during this time he had a great influence on
the employees who worked for him, as well as in other industries such as
Pixar Animation Studios.
“During his business career, which began in 1976 with the
formation of Apple Inc,. Steve Jobs has influenced several
industries. His influence has been felt in the computer,
Hollywood, music, retail and mobile phone industries.”
(Shlender & Bass, B.M., 2007, p. 1)
• Jobs encouraged his employees to be innovative and creative on a
regular basis.
• Jobs continued to be innovative year after year and giving the customers
what they wanted.
“You can’t just ask
customers what they
want and then try to give
that to them. By the time
you get it built, they’ll
want something new.”
- Steve Jobs
The examples explained above are just a few of the reasons why Steve
Jobs was considered a transformational leader around the world. In every
aspect of a transformational leader, he met all of the requirements and
had a key role within them all. If it weren’t for the terrible disease of
cancer that took his life, Jobs would have continued to “wow” and impress
his customers with his innovation and creativity. Although he passed away
he was able to train and teach his employees everything he knew so that
Apple Inc. could carry on without him someday, and unfortunately that day
has come.
Honors and Awards
• 1985: National Medal of Technology
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1987: Jefferson Award for Public Services
Named entrepreneur of the Decade
2007: Most powerful person in business by Fortune Magazine
2007: Inducted into the California Hall of Fame
2009: Named CEO of the decade
2010: No. 17 in the World’s Most Powerful People
2011: First bronze statue of Steve Jobs
2012: Grammy Trustees Award
2012: Fortune named Jobs “Greatest entrepreneur of our time”
References
1. "Transformational Leadership." The Pachamama Alliance. N.p., 2014.
Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
2. "Steve Jobs." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2014. Web. 04 Feb.
2014.
3. "Steve Jobs Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2013. Web.
02 Feb. 2014.
4. WordPress. "Introduction." Gustaccicom. N.p., 2014. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
5. "Introduction." Gustaccicom. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
<http://gustacci.com/steve-jobs/introduction/>.