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Steve Jobs: A Creative Life

My business partner and co-author Orrin Woodward and I, along with the other founders of Life, are embarking on a business journey in which we seek to follow correct principles, emulate successful leaders, and make a lasting difference in the lives of people.  One leader to whom we’ve looked, and whose professional life we’ve admired, is Steve Jobs.

T_hero Orrin and Laurie Woodward and I were landing in Newark, New Jersey yesterday on a flight home from overseas when we got the word about Jobs’ passing.  It immediately caused me to do a mental mini-review of his life. 

Steve Jobs literally revolutionized four industries:

1. computer industry – was initially involved in bringing personal computing to the masses, but was much more effective in making it user friendly and “cool” in the second phase of his professional life

2. music industry – through the innovation of iTunes, which solved the “music download” controversy 

3. movie industry – through the successful incubation and establishment of PIXAR, and the rehabilitation of Disney

4. telecommunications industry – through the widespread popularity of the iPhone and iPad

Steve Jobs had that rare combination of business savvy (early bursts of it, but much more effective in his later, more mature years) and creative genius. In many ways, I place him in the same category as Walt Disney, who also combined creative genius with a sense for what would work economically.  Jobs’ creativity, vision, steadfastness to a central focus, and the ability to lead and inspire his troops to fulfill and implement the above, are worthy of study by anyone seeking business greatness. Let us also not forget that Jobs was a master salesman. He had a way of connecting with “his” audience, and they in turn connected with the rest of us.  

As I sit here at my desk in my early morning “jet-laggedness,” pondering the many wonderful people in my life, and considering the Life business journey we are about to take together, I give a hearty salute to the creative genius of Steve Jobs. May a little of his verve find its way into our venture, and may his ability to build a productive culture of enthusiastic teammates and customers be our example.

“There is no reason not to follow your heart. Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

Thank you, Steve Jobs.

(written on a Mac, of course)

 

 

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6 responses to “Steve Jobs: A Creative Life”

  1. Cathy -- Team Rascals Avatar
    Cathy — Team Rascals

    Chris,
    I recognize that quote in your touching post. It’s from Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford. Here’s the link to it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc It’s worth the 20 minutes to watch it.
    Many would say the technology world suffered a huge loss when Steve Jobs died so prematurely. I suggest the world as a whole did. His creative genius, salesmanship, can do attitude and bulldog tenacity are qualities the world needs in any industry or sphere.
    It is an honor to partner with Team in the LIFE business, with men and women like you who share the qualities for which Steve Jobs will now be so justifiably missed.

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  2. Torence Buss Avatar
    Torence Buss

    When thinking about Steve Jobs, I recall the speech you gave about his journey to becoming the creative genius that the world knew him as in his passing. I remember hearing about his firing and the decline of Apple. How he founded NeXT computers and bought the animation studio that would become Pixar. How Apple went through four CEO’s before bringing Steve back and incorporating the OS he created into what would become X for the Apple. I remember the successes and the failures; The triumphs and the desert experiences; And I recall how through it all, Steve was always thinking toward his next success. I am struck by the similarities to Billy Durant’s story.
    Similarly, you spoke about how Billy was always thinking toward the next big thing. When he was bought out from the company that he had built by some money-grubbing bankers, he made an agreement with Louie Chevrolet. In building yet another successful company, he sold stock in it for shares of GM until he was once again the major shareholder of the company. Yet again, jealous bankers undersold his stock and yet again, Billy found himself penniless. However, such minor details never stopped the man from leaping back to the top once again and as you also pointed out, it was only his mortality that finally got in the way of his production. If only we were all so passionate.
    The Steve Jobs and Billy Durants of the world are so few and far between. It is my belief along with yours that the world will be witness to the explosion of entrepreneurial community that the genius of Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady have brought to fruition. By standing on the shoulders of giants, you also will be counted as giants among them. Isn’t that funny?
    I’m so proud to be associated with you and look forward to the day that I will have earned the privilege to grace a TEAM stage. A thousand thanks is simply not enough for all you do.

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  3. Torence Buss Avatar
    Torence Buss

    Mr. Brady, If I may pose a few questions to you. Taking into account past trends, do you have some faith and belief that Apple will be able to carry on its innovative traditions without the incredible mind that brought them forth? Do you think they will ever find a suitable mind to augment the work that Steve was so good at or will Apple finally see its undoing at the hands of competitors? What will happen to your fanatics example at that point? I am anxious to hear your thoughts.

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  4. Eric and Rachael Gregory Avatar
    Eric and Rachael Gregory

    Chris,
    Would Mr. Jobs fit your TEAM definition of a Rascal? If so, perhaps we could hear something about it on a CD some time.

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  5. Alpesh Avatar
    Alpesh

    Liked the post on Steve Jobs. I would also suggest that he has changed two other industries
    1. Advertising – He is the first one that I can remember whose advertisements I enjoy watching. His advertisements were so remarkable , think different, mac vs. pc ads , even the new ipad ones are beautifully and tastefully done . His 1984 mac ad is still talked about as the greatest commercial in the history of television.
    2. Retail experience – Transformed the retail industry by making an experience enjoyable and personable. Many retailers have tried to implement his ideas of one on one support and simplified store layout but have failed miserably because they don’t have what Steve would coin as the culture necessary to make those changes. If you look at any city usually the most beautiful store is the Apple Store.

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  6. Alpesh Avatar
    Alpesh

    One last thing on this post; someone just sent me this video and thought it was something that you would enjoy
    http://bit.ly/uZ8CM8

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