Leadership Behaviors: A Case Study of Steve Jobs and Apple Inc.

The report aims at undertaking a discussion on the leadership behavior and qualities that were possessed by Steve Jobs and the manner in which it influenced the smooth functioning of Apple Inc. The discussion will be identifying the styles of leadership adhered by Jobs and the manner in which it helps in maintaining the efficacy of the same while operating in the diverse fields.

Running head: LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
Executive summary
The report aims at undertaking a discussion on the leadership behavior and qualities that ere
possessed by Steve Jobs and the manner in which it influenced the smooth functioning of Apple
Inc. The brief biography of jobs in this context is aimed at identifying the development of the
leadership role that was played by the same while initiating continuous innovation in the
business processes. The discussion will be identifying the styles of leadership adhered by Jobs
and the manner in which it helps in maintaining the efficacy of the same while operating in the
diverse fields.

2LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Biography of the Steve Jobs........................................................................................................3
3. Description of the style of leadership deployed by Jobs.............................................................4
4. Effectiveness of the leadership behavior.....................................................................................6
5. Impact of the leadership behavior on the project lifecycle..........................................................8
6. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11
Appendix........................................................................................................................................13

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1. Introduction
Leadership plays an important role in improving the functions of the management
through envisioning the future prospects of the business and thereby designing strategies in order
to enhance the scope of organizational sustenance in highly competitive market structures1.
Decision making is one of the major functions that are undertaken by the leadership order to
make the organization competitive. The assessment of the different capabilities and
competencies of the organization and supporting the same through induction of collaboration in
the workforce will be helping the organization in enhancing the processes of the business.
The purpose of undertaking the discussion is to undertake a review of the leadership role
that was played by Steve Jobs in the context of improving Apple’s position as per the analysis of
the needs of the target customers. The discussion will be portraying the leadership style of Jobs
and the effectiveness of the behavior in the organizational context.
2. Biography of the Steve Jobs
Steven Paul Jobs was an American business magnate and investor who is known for his
association with Apple inc. as the CEO and co-founder of the business. Steve attended the Reed
College in 1972; however, he dropped out of the college the same year. He was a member of the
1 Avolio, Bruce J., & Francis J. Yammarino, eds. "Introduction to, and overview of,
transformational and charismatic leadership." Transformational and Charismatic Leadership:
The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2013. xxvii-
xxxiii.

4LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
Walt Disney Company's board of directors and CEO of NeXT2. The development of his
leadership career was supported through his involvement in different organizations, which has
helped him in developing an insight of the organizational processes. The development of the
microcomputer revolution is accredited to Jobs, which was possible through the continuous
innovative approach that was encouraged by him. Steve along with Wozniak co-founded Apple
inc. in 1976 to sell Wozniak's Apple I. Since the inception of the organization the innovative
measures that were undertaken by the organization was based on Steve’s encouragement to
simplistic thinking process. On the other hand, the long term vision of Jobs helped him in
identifying the commercial potentiality of Xerox Alto, which had a graphical user interface.
3. Description of the style of leadership deployed by Jobs
The leadership style that was followed by Steve Jobs was transformational leadership,
which has helped the same in inducing different changes in the organizational models through
motivation, intellectual stimulation, individual considerations and idealization of influence. It has
been stated that the transformational leadership helps the leaders in understanding the needs of
the organization and thereby collaborate with the workforce in order to strategize on different
available options3. The induction of transformational leadership in the organizational context is
2 Yu, Howard H. "Decoding Leadership: How Steve Jobs Transformed Apple to Spearhead a
Technological Informal Economy." Journal of Business & Management 19.1 (2013).
3 García-Morales, Víctor Jesús, María Magdalena Jiménez-Barrionuevo, & Leopoldo Gutiérrez-
Gutiérrez. "Transformational leadership influence on organizational performance through
organizational learning and innovation." Journal of business research 65.7 (2012): 1040-1050.

5LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
based on initiation of collaborative functioning of the same while operating on the different
objectives of the business. Steady communication with the stakeholders and motivating the same
to bring forth changes in the operations as per the priorities help leaders in enhancing the
operations4. On the other hand, is observed that certain characters of charismatic leadership
style are also incorporated in the activities that were undertaken by Jobs. Steve influenced the
employees in undertaking continuous innovation systems in order to enhance their operations
while working on the projects. It has been stated that the vision of the leader, in this connection,
helps the organization in supporting the organizational goal of sustainable innovations5.
` Steve undertook transformational leadership through which he motivated the employees
to bring forth modifications in the processes. On the other hand, the vision that was deployed by
Steve as per the needs of continuous innovation has helped in the gradual development of the
business. The key elements of change in the organizational functioning are based on the active
involvement of the employees in the processes. Steve devised different strategies in order to
motivate the employees, which has helped in enhancing the operations of the workforce.
4 Kark, Ronit, & Boas Shamir. "The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational
and collective selves and further effects on followers." Transformational and Charismatic
Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited,
2013. 77-101.
5 Grant, Adam M. "Leading with meaning: Beneficiary contact, prosocial impact, and the
performance effects of transformational leadership." Academy of Management Journal 55.2
(2012): 458-476.

6LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
4. Effectiveness of the leadership behavior
The major components of the leadership behavior that was portrayed by Steve Jobs were
vision, innovation, motivation and effective communication. Steve prioritized work over all other
alternatives, which has helped the same in developing different insights on the proper
functioning of the businesses. The key elements of change in the organizational structure are
dependent on the leader’s vision of undertaking modifications. It can be noted that the vision of
the leader helps the organization in undertaking effective measures in order to enhance the
operations as per the assessment of different risks6. Continuous innovation is one of the major
priorities that are faced by the organizations in order to enhance their scope of sustaining in
competitive market environments. The continuous innovation that was supported by Steve in
Apple has helped in the gradual development of the company. The identification of the needs of
the target customers and thereby developing different processes in order to adhere to the needs
helps organizations in enhancing the chances of their sustenance7. It is noted that innovation in
the organizational processes helps in supporting the sustainable operations of the same while
operating in diverse markets8.
6 McCleskey, Jim Allen. "Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and
leadership development." Journal of Business Studies Quarterly 5.4 (2014): 117.
7 Xenikou, Athena. "The cognitive and affective components of organisational identification: The
role of perceived support values and charismatic leadership." Applied Psychology 63.4 (2014):
567-588.
8 Shamir, Boas, Michael B. Arthur, & Robert J. House. "The rhetoric of charismatic leadership:
A theoretical extension, a case study, and implications for research." Leadership Now:

7LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
In a report it is stated that the smooth functioning of the workforce is dependent on the
amount of motivation that is induced9. Empowering the employees and motivating the same
helps the organizational leaders in facilitating the smooth functioning of the same while
operating as per diverse needs of organizational sustenance. Steve Jobs aimed at making the
work processes smooth in order to enhance the operations of the workforce. Therefore, Jobs
employed different innovative tools in order to keep the workforce engaged in the operations
through motivation. Effective communication helps in upholding the efficacy of the functions of
the stakeholders through collaborations10. A report stated that communication plays a meditative
role in the smooth functioning of the business enterprises through transmission of the vision and
processes11. Steve applied effective communication in his leadership in order to enhance the
Reflections on the Legacy of Boas Shamir. Emerald Publishing Limited, 2018. 31-49.
9 Clarke, Sharon. "Safety leadership: A meta‐analytic review of transformational and
transactional leadership styles as antecedents of safety behaviours." Journal of Occupational and
Organizational Psychology 86.1 (2013): 22-49.
10 Varella, Paul, Mansour Javidan, & David A. Waldman. "A model of instrumental networks:
The roles of socialized charismatic leadership and group behavior." Organization Science 23.2
(2012): 582-595.
11 Connelly, Shane, Blaine Gaddis, & Whitney Helton-Fauth. "A closer look at the role of
emotions in transformational and charismatic leadership." Transformational and Charismatic
Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited,
2013. 299-327.

8LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
operations through better understanding of the issues and mitigation of the same. The dynamic
nature of the leadership qualities that were implemented by Steve Jobs has helped in the gradual
development of Apple Inc. through collaborative approach of achieving the organizational
objectives. On the other hand, long term vision of Steve has aided to the continuous innovation
priorities of the business, which supported the sustenance of the business.
5. Impact of the leadership behavior on the project lifecycle
The leadership behavior that was deployed by Steve Jobs helps in the gradual
development of Apple’s market value in the market. The continuous innovational approach of
Steve helped Apple in developing Macintosh in the year 1984, which was the very first mass-
produced computer featuring graphical user interface (GUI)12.The innovations that were
undertaken by the organization since then has been accredited to the transformational mentality
of Jobs. The long term vision of Steve helped in the evolution of the organization as it adapted to
the different changes in the product offerings through the better understanding of the needs of the
customers. The simplistic strategies that were implemented by Steve as Apple merged with
NeXT in the year 1997 have helped in enhancing the operations of the business. On the other
hand, the collaborative functions of the workforce under the leadership of Steve were enhanced
through enhancement in communicational systems13. The enhanced communication systems of
the business have helped in integrating the workforce towards achieving the common objective
12 Yu, Howard H. "Decoding Leadership: How Steve Jobs Transformed Apple to Spearhead a
Technological Informal Economy." Journal of Business & Management 19.1 (2013).
13 Yu, Howard H. "Decoding Leadership: How Steve Jobs Transformed Apple to Spearhead a
Technological Informal Economy." Journal of Business & Management 19.1 (2013).

9LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
of the same. It is stated that leaders classify the roles that are required to be played by the
stakeholders, as per their capabilities, in order to enhance the operations of the business
undertakings14. Steve supported the smooth functioning of the workforce through allocation of
the desired roles that might be played by the employees in order to fulfill the needs of the
project. On the other hand, Jobs also influenced the workforce to undertake suitable innovative
measures as per the objectives of the business. The functions undertaken by Jobs minimized the
staff turnover ratio, which has helped the organization in retaining the valued employees of the
organization (Refer to Appendice 1). The implementation of transformational leadership
approach on the organization has helped Steve in enhancing the operations of the same while
operating in diverse international markets. The ‘Think Different’ campaign that was initiated by
Jobs portrayed his creativity in the operations, which helped in the continuous innovation
approach of the business relating to its sustenance. The innovative approach of Jobs has helped
in enhancing the operations and motivating the employees through facilitation of suitable
communicability.
6. Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion it can be concluded that leaders play an important
role in enhancing the operations of businesses while operating in diverse economies. The key
changes in the organizational operations are based on the long term vision and the motivation
14 Zehir, Cemal, et al. "Charismatic leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: The
mediating role of ethical climate." Social Behavior and Personality: an international
journal 42.8 (2014): 1365-1375.

10LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
that is provided by the leaders to the employees to undertake the smooth functioning of the
processes. The report enumerates the leadership approaches that were considered by Steve Jobs
which helped in the gradual development of the organization while operating as per the evolving
needs of the customers. On the other hand, the leader through the enumeration of different
collaborative functioning maintained the efficacy of work. The transformational leadership
approach adhered by Jobs helped in enhancing the operations of Apple and contributed largely to
its sustainability through steady innovation practices. The report identifies the leadership
behavior of Steve Jobs and its impact on the organizational sustenance, which helps in clarifying
the role of leadership in organizational performance.

11LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
References
Avolio, Bruce J., & Francis J. Yammarino, eds. "Introduction to, and overview of,
transformational and charismatic leadership." Transformational and Charismatic Leadership:
The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2013. xxvii-
xxxiii.
Clarke, Sharon. "Safety leadership: A meta‐analytic review of transformational and transactional
leadership styles as antecedents of safety behaviours." Journal of Occupational and
Organizational Psychology 86.1 (2013): 22-49.
Connelly, Shane, Blaine Gaddis, & Whitney Helton-Fauth. "A closer look at the role of emotions
in transformational and charismatic leadership." Transformational and Charismatic Leadership:
The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2013. 299-327.
García-Morales, Víctor Jesús, María Magdalena Jiménez-Barrionuevo, & Leopoldo Gutiérrez-
Gutiérrez. "Transformational leadership influence on organizational performance through
organizational learning and innovation." Journal of business research 65.7 (2012): 1040-1050.
Grant, Adam M. "Leading with meaning: Beneficiary contact, prosocial impact, and the
performance effects of transformational leadership." Academy of Management Journal 55.2
(2012): 458-476.
Kark, Ronit, & Boas Shamir. "The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational
and collective selves and further effects on followers." Transformational and Charismatic
Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition. Emerald Group Publishing Limited,
2013. 77-101.

12LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
McCleskey, Jim Allen. "Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and
leadership development." Journal of Business Studies Quarterly 5.4 (2014): 117.
Shamir, Boas, Michael B. Arthur, & Robert J. House. "The rhetoric of charismatic leadership: A
theoretical extension, a case study, and implications for research." Leadership Now: Reflections
on the Legacy of Boas Shamir. Emerald Publishing Limited, 2018. 31-49.
Varella, Paul, Mansour Javidan, & David A. Waldman. "A model of instrumental networks: The
roles of socialized charismatic leadership and group behavior." Organization Science 23.2
(2012): 582-595.
Xenikou, Athena. "The cognitive and affective components of organisational identification: The
role of perceived support values and charismatic leadership." Applied Psychology 63.4 (2014):
567-588.
Yu, Howard H. "Decoding Leadership: How Steve Jobs Transformed Apple to Spearhead a
Technological Informal Economy." Journal of Business & Management 19.1 (2013).
Zehir, Cemal, et al. "Charismatic leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: The
mediating role of ethical climate." Social Behavior and Personality: an international
journal 42.8 (2014): 1365-1375.

13LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS
Appendix
Appendice 1
Figure 1: Revenue rate