I/O Psych and Leadership

Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of
Apple had a unique perspective on people’s long-term potential. He
believed in the power of investing in individuals and nurturing their growth to achieve remarkable outcomes.

But Jobs understood that creating a truly exceptional team was about hiring the best people and fostering an environment that allowed them to thrive. He believed in empowering his employees, giving them the autonomy and trust to take ownership of their work and make meaningful
contributions. He encouraged risk-taking and challenged his team to think
differently and disrupt the status quo.

Jobs said during an interview that something he learned from data while at Apple showed him that the painful process was that instead of going and fixing something, someone was screwing up, which was his first and most powerful instinct. He engaged them in a conversation and said, “We are building a team here and are going to do great things for the next decade, not just the next year, so what do I need to do to help?”. As Simon Sinek says, he started with “The Why.” Why are we here? to do great things! and the “How can I help?” how a kind, servant leader invests in people.

Jobs also believed in pushing his employees beyond their perceived limits. He recognized that people often possess an untapped potential that can only be unlocked through challenging and stretching their capabilities. By setting high expectations, providing support and guidance, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, Jobs sought to help his team discover and realize their full potential.

In essence, Jobs recognized that investing in people was the right thing to do from a moral standpoint and a strategic move that directly impacted the organization’s success. He believed that by nurturing and empowering individuals, they could collectively achieve greatness and create transformative products that would shape the world.