Yesterday Steve Jobs, the turtle-neck wearing leader who rolls with his own fan club, resigned as CEO of Apple Inc. due to health concerns. Although we wish him the best, Apple will continue onward with former COO Tim Cook as the new CEO – but the world (and their competitors) now wonder how the new Apple will perform without their rock star. The world has always hailed Jobs as a passionate and courageous leader who drove Innovation like Mario Andretti, but is that something you can teach? He redefined the way we play and purchase music, revolutionized the cell phone and reinterpreted the laptop into a flat touch screen…he changed the world and in the process created the most valuable technology company on earth.
Steve Jobs is leadership on steroids. To imagine what has never been, then creating the fantastic has been an Apple tradition for decades now. Putting all your corporate chips down on products never before experienced by the public takes a big set of …conviction and passion for what you’re doing. Job’s vision for Apple has never waivered and he has always kept continued innovation (even in the face of monstrous successes) as the central and most important aspect of all areas of the organization.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower “ Steve Jobs
With Steve Jobs as a CEO, you would have to believe Apple has one of the most thought out succession plans in existence. Apple shares are already off 5% after the announcement yesterday, and although Tim Cook has taken the helm as CEO during Job’s previous medical leaves, his contribution to the company still remains to be seen.
This begs the question, how do you cultivate innovation in leaders? Can you develop this elusive skill or is it an intangible, mystical power… an “It” factor you’re born with? Whatever it is Steve Jobs has it, but he “gets it” too – he knows organizational success ultimately depends on the talent of others and his ability to effectively lead his people.
“The people who are doing the work are the moving force behind the Macintosh. My job is to create a space for them, to clear out the rest of the organization and keep it at bay.“ Steve Jobs
I bet I’ve got you thinking about innovation at your organization; you’re wondering how to unleash the passion, enthusiasm, and creative power that would catapult your organization beyond the reach of competitors, giving you global market share and billions of dollars in revenue too! You have to start at the top and like Jobs’ strategy, an emphasis on risk taking and fostering innovation in the workplace is paramount.
DeLisa Alexander, EVP and Chief People Officer of Red Hat (recipient of many best places to work awards) also knows a thing or two about building innovation by designing a collaborative workforce. In her upcoming keynote address, she details how Redhat generates innovation from their people and how she leverages senior level buy-in for her initiatives at the upcoming HCI Learning & Leadership Development Event in Boston. As the premier leadership development conference, we will feature new and significant case studies from organizations like Morgan Stanley, Home Depot, General Electric, US Army Special Forces and the CBS Corporation. Join us in November and get your innovation on!
Interesting perspective Shane! People may be asking the question for a while...is it something you're born with, or can you learn to lead like Steve Jobs? He definitely is a rock star!!