Achieve Greatness with Steve Jobs Advice for Entrepreneurs

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a visionary, innovator, and one of the most influential figures in the tech industry. He left an indelible mark in the world, not only through his technological innovations but also through his approach to life and work. His legacy continues to shape the tech industry, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.

As we head into a new year with technology that Jobs could have only dreamed of, it’s time to slow down and consider what makes legacy CTOs and CEOs so innovative, creative, and everlastingly inspiring. Here are a few interesting lessons you can take away from the tech mogul Steve Jobs’ advice for entrepreneurs.

Keep it simple: Appreciate the beauty of simplicity

Steve urges techies to see it big but keep it simple. He said, “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains”.

Simplicity made Apple’s designs stand out — its products are known for their minimalist and modern design. Jobs learned to appreciate simplicity during his first job at Atari, a Japanese electronic games company. He understood that machines are supposed to be smart solutions that approach users in a responsive way instead of challenging them. As a result, he always believed in the “beauty of simplicity” and zeroed in on the simple features of a product by concentrating on its essence.

Stay hungry and foolish – don’t be afraid to make mistakes

According to Steve, innovation must be a routine function in the business. The minute an organization stops innovating, it loses its place in the market. Jobs had an insatiable appetite for innovation and improvement. He believed that settling for mediocrity was a recipe for failure. He kept finding ways to innovate and anticipate upcoming/new trends. He was future-driven and never settled for less.

Building an innovative company is impossible if you are afraid of taking chances and making mistakes. Jobs made many mistakes but was never afraid to go with his gut and break conventions. His career shows that failure is normal, and what you learn from your failure is what matters.

Jobs made many mistakes early in his career, including poor products and bad managerial decisions. After co-founding Apple in 1976, he was fired from the company in 1985, only to return in 1997. He knew it was best to accept mistakes and move on quickly.

Hire the best people for the job

Another theme Jobs frequently discussed is the need for businesses to hire smart people and let them do their jobs. Steve once stated, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”

Moreover, he asserted that leaders need to look for people who are passionate about their company and all that it stands for. Because employees with a distinct vision and passion will do what’s best for the company. Jobs said, “When I hire somebody really senior, competence is the ante. They have to be really smart. But the real issue for me is, are they going to fall in love with Apple? Because if they fall in love with Apple, everything else will take care of itself. They’ll want to do what’s best for Apple, not what’s best for them, what’s best for Steve, or anybody else”.

The ‘No Excuses’ rule of leadership

Jobs was results-driven, and he ultimately understood that you can have results or excuses, but not both. Jobs always reminded his team, “When an employee becomes a manager and a leader, he or she must vacate all excuses for failure. A leader is responsible for any mistakes that happen.” Leaders who make excuses can never maximize their true potential.  Allowing excuses to become a regular part of the everyday routine is a recipe for mediocrity. Instead, justify things and take ownership. This will foster trust and respect within the team.

In brief

Jobs is remembered for his brilliantly innovative mind, and his vision and insights inspire professionals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.