On display this week and found on incessant repeat on social media, Americans appear clueless about leadership. Yep, leadership is one of those concepts that’s as elusive as a fart in a windstorm. Everyone thinks they understand it until they’re asked to define it. Then the room goes silent, or worse, they start spouting clichés like “inspiring others” and “leading by example.” Let’s cut through the BS. What does it really mean to be a leader?
The Myth of Leadership
First off, let’s debunk a common myth: being a leader is not the same as being a boss. A boss tells people what to do, while a leader gets people to want to do it. It’s the difference between managing people and inspiring them. Managing is about control; leadership is about influence.
Steve Jobs: The Poster Child of Leadership
No one personifies leadership better than Steve Jobs. The man wasn’t just a leader; he was a force of nature. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that he left an indelible mark on the world. So, what can we learn from Jobs about leadership?
Vision: Seeing What Others Don’t
Jobs had a knack for seeing the future. While the rest of us were fumbling around with clunky PCs, he envisioned a sleek, user-friendly computer that would change the way we interact with technology. The result? The Macintosh. He saw potential where others saw problems. That’s what a leader does – they have a vision and the ability to see what others can’t.
Obsession with Perfection: The Relentless Pursuit
Jobs was obsessed with perfection. To the point where he could drive his team insane. Stories of him rejecting prototypes because they were off by a millimeter are legendary. But here’s the thing: his obsession wasn’t just about being a hard-ass. It was about setting a standard. A leader doesn’t settle for good enough; they demand excellence. And they don’t just demand it from others; they demand it from themselves.
Communication: The Reality Distortion Field
One of Jobs’ most famous traits was his so-called “reality distortion field.” He had an uncanny ability to convince people that the impossible was possible. He didn’t just communicate his vision; he made people believe in it. A leader is a master communicator. They don’t just share ideas; they inspire people to buy into those ideas.
Resilience: Bouncing Back
Jobs’ career wasn’t a straight line to success. He was famously ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded. But instead of sulking, he went on to start NeXT and revolutionized animation with Pixar. And then, in a Hollywood-worthy twist, he returned to Apple and led it to become the most valuable company in the world. A leader isn’t defined by their successes, but by how they handle failure. Resilience is key.
Innovation: Thinking Differently
“Think Different” wasn’t just a marketing slogan; it was Jobs’ mantra. He didn’t follow trends; he set them. From the iPod to the iPhone, his innovations disrupted entire industries. A leader doesn’t play it safe. They take risks and are willing to break the mold. They challenge the status quo and encourage their team to do the same.
The Dark Side of Leadership
But let’s not get too carried away with the hero worship. Jobs was far from perfect. His leadership style could be brutal. He was known for his temper and his demanding nature. This brings us to an uncomfortable truth: great leaders are often not great people. Leadership requires making tough decisions and sometimes being ruthless. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective.
So, What Does It Mean to Be a Leader?
In essence, being a leader means having a vision, communicating it effectively, demanding excellence, showing resilience, and being willing to innovate. It’s about inspiring others to follow you, not because they have to, but because they want to. It’s about making a lasting impact.
In the end, leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room or having the most power. It’s about influence, vision, and the ability to inspire others. And if you can do that, you’re not just a boss – you’re a leader.
So, take a page out of Steve Jobs’ book: dream big, communicate your vision, demand the best, bounce back from failure, and never, ever stop innovating. And who knows? You might just change the world.
Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Substack, I’m writing the proverbial (no surprise here) sequel to Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter.