Steve Jobs Leadership Analysis

This report analyzes Steve Jobs' leadership style, focusing on his autocratic, participative, and transformational leadership qualities. It examines the impact of his leadership on Apple's success and the development of its employees, using the 2015 film 'Steve Jobs' as a source.

DEVELOPING
LEADERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The aim of the report is to find out the leadership and management skills that Steve jobs
possesses with keeping in mind the movie that was made by Danny Boyle in 2015 pointing out
leadership qualities that Jobs had and how it affected the employees of the company. The leader
must have traits like communication qualities, patience, passion, but also soft spoken and good
listener. The report showed importance of autocratic, participative as well as transformational
leadership quality comparing it to Jobs and the level of Leadership Jobs possessed among these
from highest to lowest. The report analysed strength as well as weakness of autocratic leadership
that was possessed by Jobs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.....................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................4
REFERENCES......................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study is to critically evaluate the leadership style of Steve Jobs , Co
founder of Apple. There were many challenges faced by Jobs but brilliant management skills as
well as leadership skills helped Jobs in overcome all the factors. There are a lot of great leaders
who grow towards prosperity with various style of leadership. Among all these, Steve jobs was
different who has changed the technological industry through his creativity and innovation. Steve
jobs was one of the most passionate leaders who used to motivate its employees through his
work. Steve jobs played an important role in establishing image of Apple. Jobs managed the
business and performed the leadership role under the business logo. Despite the success, Steve
Jobs was a controversial individual. To focus the light on Steve’s negative side Danny Boyle
made a movie in 2015 called Steve Jobs to critically analyze the leadership style and behavior of
Steve jobs towards the employees, family, friends and coworkers, the report consists of critical
evaluation of the style of leadership and management in Apple Inc. It also contains and
evaluation of leadership style used in Apple which will helps in knowing how many styles of
leadership was followed in Apple and which one is responsible for its success. Moreover, the
report contains leadership development intervention which aims to improve organizational
performance by increasing performance and effectiveness of leaders.
A critical evaluation of the styles of leadership and management in Apple Inc
The Steve jobs movie directed by Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin showed
the darker side of character of job’s and the style of leadership that job possessed. The way Job
focused entirely on launching the product defined the leadership style of Steve jobs. Some of the
leadership styles of jobs are genius, visionary, demanding, abusive creative, uncaring. The style
of jobs was complex and yet many employees of Apple loved him and many hate him. Despite
how jobs was as a person, but was one of the most successful leader of the world (Ellis, 2018).
Job was a skilled business operator. The film presents him accurately at an event of
product launch before an audience and job’s performance before them is well established. Steve
jobs is recognized as a master of the use of language. Despite job’s high profile and popularity
during his life, there were shrine of candles, half eaten flowers, flowers were presented by the
world to show respect towards the creativity of jobs (Heracleous, 2016). The display of such
respect was never seen before for a corporate leader. Over a span of time, Jobs led Apple to
reach on top by managing its workforce through autocratic style of leadership. Employees of
Apple believed in his vision and accepted his decision along with his impatient and rude
behavior but it was a package of perfectionism that actually worked for the company and brought
outstanding results (Slagter, 2017).
Jobs was a master of manipulating emotions of human. Jobs was also sensitive towards
human social queues. Jobs used to make the employees feel that they can be crushed anytime and
on the same hand Jobs had the ability to get employees work for him out of sheer love. Steve

jobs had the ability to read people and knew how to keep employees motivated, and used to
implement approaches depending on their desires. For instance, once the employees were having
difficulties to reduce the boot time on the device and jobs senses that and did the math and
informed the employee that if employee does it, it can save more than 100 lifetimes and through
this Jobs motivated the employee enough to shave 28 seconds boot time.
Jobs was confident about his innovative ideas but at the same time was famous for his
unethical behavior. Moreover, his calculated risk, and vision of future was the combination of his
management and leadership skills (Krapfl, 2015). The unique personality of jobs included
creativity and amazing ideas about trends of future and it reformed entire industry with the help
of jobs intellectual ideas and unmatchable will power. Jobs was specialized to create a field of
success beyond the reality. His vision to see consumer market was different and was known for
his presentation style and spreading and sharing to others.
The leadership qualities that jobs possessed which is also shown in the movie is that the
knowledge and ability to utilize tools of company and to make sure that processes of the
company is carrying out effectively. Steve jobs were very well aware about his abilities that were
creating software and hardware, development of overall items etc (Schoemaker, 2018). As
already discussed above, Jobs had the perfect human skills when needed. In other words, Jobs
had the ability to motivate, direct and negotiate but on the contrary the ability to show kindness
was lacking in Jobs. On the other hand the conceptual skills that are very important to be a leader
was really high in Jobs. The ideas of Jobs was based on logics and abstract thinking. Jobs were
the person who was able to think about visionary and revolutionary ideas to do thing better.
Steve jobs did obvious things in his own way and made it successful.
Jobs on the contrary had a reputation of being autocratic leader which is very nicely
depicted in the movie by Danny. Jobs was famous for his autocratic leadership who would made
impossible demands from the colleagues and employees and will take credit for their ideas as
well. This side of Jobs was made evident by the film makers. Job was framed within the apple as
I god and obviously bought a religious intensity to his work and this was seen in the film as well
justifying this behavior. The employees due to autocratic leadership were dependent on Jobs and
denied the possibility of no consent to what jobs say.
The employees of Apple considered his leadership style as autocratic and highly
manipulative. The behavior of Steve in meetings used to be rude and authoritative. Because jobs
believed in perfection, many employees feared him because of dominating nature that jobs had.
This critically suggests that the considerate levels of Steve jobs were low else some sort of care
about employees fearing him would be taken by him. However in later years, Jobs showed more
warmth towards the employees.
If talk about participative leadership, it was quite low in the case of Jobs as rumors and
reports was that Jobs is rude and impatient in meetings. This behavior did not encouraged its
employees to voice out or to participate in the decision making or even to share opinions. If talk
about transformational leadership, the leaders those brings positive change to the workplace are
defined as such kind of leaders. However, Jobs lack human qualities which are emotional

intelligence, personal encouragement and trust among employees as jobs was a secretive persons
and did not used to share its future plans with anyone.
There are two types of power motives which are personalized one and socialized one.
Jobs neither fitted in any of these as personalized power, drive will require money and status
which was not the motive of Jobs. On the other hand, helping others was also not the motive of
Jobs. The motives of Steve jobs as seen in movie appeared to be selfish. The decision making
process of Jobs was unilateral which made quick and fast decisions for the company and saved
time but on the other hand deprived the employees of the company to gain experience or to
develop leadership qualities inside them. It actually resulted in de skilling the employees of apple
and lead to poor decisions and loss of productivity in long run.
From the movie it can be said that Jobs was a skilled problem solver, and had pure
knowledge and skills. Steves was adaptable in dynamic situations and had this inner ability to
sense social cues but jobs was extremely persuasive, rude that the employees of Apple wanted to
change his behavior (Rua, 2016). Job had the ability to see future and make changes accordingly
and even had the ability to create new realities.
The last thought would be that Jobs was one of the most impactful and amazing leader of
modern era. Despite being his negative behaviour no one can deny that the image of Apple is
built by him and it was Jobs who created and revolutionize tech industry which was an indirect
but great contribution by jobs. Jobs as a person was may not be good but definitely was a
visionary and excellent leader. Even though the attitude of Jobs was not right towards friends,
family and co-workers, still Jobs had many admirers of the work he has done.
The response to Job’s death in the film exposed collective fascination with charismatic
corporate leader and criticism was low as Jobs is responsible to build Apple. Jobs developed
business model that is an inspiration to all (Yoffie, 2015). The fact that all the negative qualities
of Steve was shown in the movie yet the personality of Jobs and leadership style made people
like him
PART 2
Steve Jobs characteristics and Leadership styles used in Apple Inc
Steven Paul Jobs is an American business investor and magnate, he is the chairman, co-
founder and chief executive officer of Apple Inc (Lawton and Páez, 2015). He has the ability to
do something efficiently or successfully. He was known as successful business entrepreneur in
world, he managed overall functions and activities of company and efforts to make it bigger and
larger rather than another industries. Jobs is wide recognized as the pioneer of microcomputer
revolution of the 1970 and 1980, along with organization co founder Steve Wozniak. He was
highly successful both as leading Apple and entrepreneurial founder to corporate greatness after
firm had become change for more than decade under different leadership styles. He was
independent person, Jobs admit that his need for control root from his feeling of powerlessness is
being given up, when Wozniak asked question to him in context of his contribution and credit in
Apple. It defines its characteristics that Steve Jobs is independent person, he takes their decision
independently. Commanding, Democratic and Autocratic leadership styles used by Jobs in

company, as it helps to make business more successful and contribute to become leading brand
in market.
Cast (Sub- characters)-
Steve Wozniak- He is the first friend of Steve Jobs, Wozniak invested Apple I computer,
he left organization in 1985, this thing define their relationship with Jobs. In 1984 He was the
Co-founder of Apple Inc. he contributes a lot to make it more successful in marketplace with
Jobs. In begging part they both are he friends but alter on, Wozniak and Jobs become
competitors, they stand in company against each other. Steve Wozniak ask jobs to acknowledge
the team Apple II in presentation, but Jobs think that mention the computer which he considers
outdated is inexpedient, this is the reason behind their separation.
Jobs used Autocratic leadership styles in Apple, in 1984 Apple Macintosh 128K's voice
demo was neglect just an hour before its launching at Flint centre. Steve Jobs threatening
engineer Andy Hertzfeld for fixing Apple Macintosh 128K's. Hertzfeld was pressurised by Jobs,
He tole that is he does not fix it, Jobs publicly implicate in presentation's credit. Autocratic
leadership, define management styles in which one person have all the control over decision
making process. Individual with autocratic leadership style managed over all decisions and input
from group of members. Steve jobs is autocratic leader, they make choices based on its
judgements and ideas and often accept advice from followers in Apple.
Joanna Hoffman is marketing executive in Time magazine, he wrote article on Jobs
personal life and expose his personal and paternity dispute with his ex-girlfriend. He is the
another character in this report, who is related to Steve Jobs.
Chrisann Brennan- Chrisann Brennan was Jobs ex girlfriend, who was the mother of
Lisa, daughter of Steve Jobs. After revealing their relationship in Time magazine, He denies that
he is not Lisa father, he neglects the truth and denies father of Brennan's five year old daughter.
She arrives to confront Steve, but he treated her bitter over his denials and refuse to help her
dislike his wealth (Baron and Parent, 2015). From beginning in his life he always leaves alone
and take his own decisions individually without any guidance. He bonds with Lisa and provide
her money and house over has MacPaint art. He is very disturbed in his personal life, but still he
never mixes it up in professionalism and become successful leader.
John Sculley- In the year of 1988, John Sculley is the CEO of Apple, he can take major
decisions in organization. After failure of Macintosh, Steve jobs founded new firm, NEXT, he
wants to launch NEXT computer at war Memorial Opera House. Before launching this new
goods in market, Wozniak predicts and arrives NEXT that it was the another failure system by
Jobs. CEO, John Sculley demands to fired Jobs because he thinks that Steve Jobs does not have
any contribution in Apple. This situation makes Jobs become more powerful, he creates
situations for CEO of company to deal with him and get him back in Apple. Hoffam and Jobs
discuss NEXT as unclear direction, Jobs designed computer and include some additional features
in it which make it useful and attractive. This will define that Jobs have Democratic leadership
style, he used his power of mind and plan strategies for Apple to buy NEXT organization and
reinstate him. Democratic style define empowering characteristics of person, Jobs with this style
empowering group of people within firm and create different ideas to get the best results.

Wozniak always try to humiliate Steve Jobs, he asks questions to him about his
contribution in Apple. Jobs avoid his stupid questions and focus on making business succeed and
try to present itself in market as the biggest competitor for others. This shows their
characteristics which make him stronger. Wozniak is the main designer of Apple I and Apple II,
his contribution were largely in both of above products.
In 1998, After reinstate Steve Jobs, Apple fired Sculley and purchase NexT company and
place Jobs as CEO. He unveils iMac pad at Davies symphony hall, his Companding leadership
style is one of the best leadership format that helps Steve Jobs to works better and best in crisis
and make him able to work with problematic people, such as Steve Wozniak. In the organization
there where many people's who make barriers do Jobs in procedure of success and growth, but he
overcome within barriers and bring possible outcomes which define his personality traits. Good
governance is one of among Jobs characteristics or style include consensus oriented, responsive,
inclusive, effective, equitable and efficient, accountable and transparent. He has all traits which
has been mentioned above and contribute as whole journey.
It has been discussed that Steve Jobs has three different types of leadership styles such as
democratic, commanding and autocratic. All these styles used by Jobs in Apple is the reason
behind their success in market and spread Apple as world's leading brand. Contagious leadership
style teach Steve Jobs how to become the successful leaders, he also used this leadership style as
well.
PART 3
Leadership development intervention
Leadership development intervention define activities which need to improve skills,
confidence and abilities of leaders (Birasnav, 2014). This program vary massively in complexity,
style and cost of teaching. Mentoring and coaching is the two forms of development used to
develop and guide leaders in company. This plan contribute to set career towards advance
leadership roles and higher management position. It is one of the best or invaluable tool to
strategically guide person throughout their career development and growth and professional
development.
Importance of Leadership development program-
LDP is very important to develop and improve leadership styles that strength leaders and
give appropriate or clear pathway for potential leaders to grow and learn.
John Sculley is the CEO in the year of 1988, he tries to fired Steve Jobs because he feels
that Jobs does not give their any contribution in Apple. But after some time Steve come back in
company and grab the position as CEO and fired Sculley, because he has strong mission and
situational leadership styles that helps to take decision based on situation.
Competence such as vision and decision making abilities- John Sculley need to improve
their visionary ability and develop like Jobs as they have already. He wants to improve their
skills more and more rather than before which is essential for comparing their self this Steve
Jobs. Jobs make their effective judgements, he designed Next computer and discuss it as unclear
direction he pressures Apple to purchase New designed Next computer which is very beneficial

for organization, it reflects that he was minded person and have ability of make better and strong
decisions. Sculley has lack of visionary, his need to work on it because a strong leader always
required to have strong vision (Liljenberg, 2015). They need to develop visionary leadership
style among itself, with helps to lead their team and group of people in Apple. With the help of
this style Sculley can achieve longer term success and sustain long time period in organization.
Steve Jobs have visionary skills which help to make him successful and leading leader.
Leadership development plan support Sculley to improve their skills and abilities and make him
able to inspire other in workplace to gain competitive advantages.
Steve Jobs has ability of take actions against their competitors, he takes action after firing
from Apple because John Sculley demands. Jobs designed attractive computer who grab the
attention of company and put pressure on them to buy next. Sculley has to increase or develop
their decision making skill and improve it more than before as they can take actions immediately
based on situation just like Steve Jobs.
Steve Wozniak humiliates Steve Jobs in Apple and always asks question to him about his
contribution and efforts in company, to make it more successful. He asked question to Jobs that
what your contributions to computing history are. At this movement jobs define themselves as
conductor of Apple, he tells Wozniak that he directs as musicians such as Wozniak.
Competence need to improve- Steve Wozniak was another character who has relationship
with Steve Jobs. With the help of leadership development intervention, he needs to improve their
skills and abilities more than Jobs. Steve Jobs has commanding ability, he knows who to lead his
team and number of employees within Apple. He takes fast decision and put pressure on team
members to follow it according to him (Johansson, Miller and Hamrin, 2014). He was a good
leader but not an effective in communication, he never tries to communicate his workers in
organization and lead over them through commanding. Steve Wozniak needs to develop
contagious leadership, as it helps to make him more successful rather than Jobs. Jobs always
separate his personal life to professional life, he cannot mixed both together. It is one of the
reason behind his success and growth in market. He also need to understand how to command
team and work with them and drive all towards success.
CONCLUSION
The present report summarize about three types of leadership style used by Steve Jobs in
Apple Inc. Steve jobs used autocratic leadership, democratic and commanding leadership in his
business life cycle, he is very disturbed in personal life, while facing issues he always tries hard
to make business more successful and build their position in marketplace. This study it discusses
about Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Joanna Hoffman, Chrisann Brennan, all they have
relationship with Steve jobs. Jobs have visionary leadership and skills to beat his competitors and
overcome at any difficult situations, he efforts a lot when he gets fired. He balanced his life even
he feels hesitate and critics by Wozniak. Steve personal life with his Ex girlfriend was not good,
he denies to except Lisa as his daughter. Furthermore, it has been concluded that John Sculley
and Steve Wozniak need to improve their skills and competence to become more successful as
like Jobs.

REFERENCES
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