Characteristics of Business Leadership - Essay Example

? Characteristics of Business Leadership Introduction: A business leader can be understood to have a significant role in an organization since it is the leader’s views and opinions that others follow with the purpose of achieving the organizational goals. Over the years, this role has been found to modify with the changing needs of the business world. The success of a business leader thus depends on how efficiently he is capable of deciding the pathway that the company needs to follow as well as manage the available resources optimally for the purpose involving all the associated organizational members (Greenleaf & Spears, 2002, pp.152-154). In this context, the present study focuses on a highly popular business leader, Steven Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer Company and shall learn about his role and practices that he used in his leadership attributes in his company. Steven Jobs: The Initiation of His Leadership Skills in Business: Steven Paul Jobs, as now remembered as Steve Jobs, was a highly popular tycoon in the world of business proving to be a highly successful entrepreneur in the electronics and information technology industry. He has been part of several patents related to the invention and development of computer related products. Initially discussing about his business life, it was in 1977 that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak together presented their first microcomputer in the White House. It was named as Apple II and the entire marketing plan and decisions were undertaken by Jobs. By 1993, the sale of the product made the two inventors millionaires. Thereafter, Jobs continued with his newer inventions, as well as managing his Apple Company with due sincerity and leadership. When he realized that the company needed experienced administration, he involved John Sculley in the team of management (Biography of Steve Jobs and Timeline of Apple, 2011). In this context it can be understood that the business leader survived several challenges while he could reach to the level of success. Firstly, he was new in the market that represented the fear of not being recognized by consumers. Secondly, his product was associated with the IT thus there could only be certain sections of people who would be interested. Thirdly, the first microcomputer that they invented was meant for commercial purposes and for the mass. Thus lack of acceptance could pose severe threats to their career. However, although the above mentioned challenges existed, Jobs became successful and his Apple Company gradually proved to be a huge success. This in other words reflects on the efficient leadership and management style that Jobs presented in his work. Business Leadership of Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs was known for his autocratic style of leadership values. He used to remain personally involved in all the steps and measures undertaken for the objectives of his company. For his working team, he used to involve people who matched with his mindset and he was highly demanding. He did not love delegating authority to people and would rather get involved in person in every aspect of operation. Jobs was extremely serious with his work and loved his Company too much to even lessen his involvement while he was ill (Branson, 2011). Steve’s inventions were meant for the global markets and thus he had to encounter cultural differences as well. However, the success of the company represents that Steve had been capable of adjusting to the differences and marketing his products successful across the world. The primary reason behind his adjustment and success was his love and involvement for the technology that he worked on. Steve believed in thinking differently and had faith in the values and principles of the company that he never left behind. Compassion for his company allowed the business leader to stick to his views and policies and continue with delivering his products successfully in the global market as well as adjusting with different cultures across the world. He delivered his products not depending on the choices and preferences of the users, but rather presented them with proposals for the use of the products he invented (The Impact of Culture on Creativity, 2009, p.5). In this context, thus, it can be said that Steve Jobs was a man of work and sincerity thus always getting involved in every operational aspects of the business. Although this in other way would mean that he never trusted others with responsible duties, it might also focus on the leadership ability and power that he influenced on his business for the achievement of his goals. Jobs’ Theory of Business Leadership and Management: As discussed in the previous section, Steve believed and followed in an autocratic style of business leadership. Thus while he involved himself in all the functions of the company and the delivery of products, he made sure that he included like-minded people in his team who would understand his views and values and deliver accordingly. His team of management, quite similarly, included personnel who could realize and perform according to his innovativeness as well as hard work. Steve would never leave his personnel on their own terms and responsibilities, and never did he try to rule over his members from distance. Rather, one would always find him with his team members indulging in different measures for his products and delivery (Branson, 2011). Jobs’ business management and leadership were not limited to the Apple Company only. Steve also utilized his skills and expertise in development of several computer and products of information technology. The influence of Jobs could be realized when Apple started losing its market when Jobs had left. However, when Apple could win back Jobs, he immediately took efficient steps, cancelling several projects that were on the plan, and instead turned for new projects. Thereafter, not only did he invent computer products, but products like the iphone also started ruling the market (Biography of Steve Jobs and Timeline of Apple, 2011). In this regard, it can be understood that Steve Jobs not only had the capability of efficient management and leadership but he could also effectively motivate the members who remained in his support and performed according to his instructions and decisions. His management led the Apple Company try to bring him back when the company was unable to stand in the market without his leadership. Impacts of the Leadership of Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs being a highly successful business person and achieving huge success in his business through his innovations and delivery, his leadership, vision and business success have had significant impacts on the entire world. When he died at the age of 56 in year 2011, after suffering for quite some time from pancreatic cancer, not only his company, but the entire world mourned his death. He also received tributes from eminent personalities from across the world. The world would always remember the contribution he made in the field of information technology. He provided the world with a completely new vision for new products and development in IT products that include computers as well as phones. He showed the world the efficient leadership and management that he reflected on his company and the manner in which he believed in himself and his values. He proved to be successful globally and reached the hearts of consumers through his proposals of newer products. He remained a perfectionist in his conduct of business and motivated and inspired several young hearts in the contribution to the world of information technology. He always demanded for the best performance that actually impacted his employees and team members to perform accordingly. His choice of professionals and work culture proved to impact the entire world for the successful innovation, marketing and delivery of IT products (Bentley, Whitwell & Stevens, 2011). Conclusion: The life and work of Steve Jobs as obtained from the above study reflects on the efficiency and effectiveness that the business leader had showed in his performance. Being an autocratic leader, he remained involved in the execution of each and every measure involving his innovation of products, marketing and delivery. The leadership, management, and ability of Jobs to motivate his team demanding for the best performance have inspired the entire world of business and the industry of information technology. His style remained unique supported by his belief on his own values and principles. Thus instead of working on the preferences of the users, he always delivered his innovated products to the users as proposals to them. His innovations ruled over the world. With his death, while on one side the world mourned, on another side, his successful business performance would continue to inspire young hearts towards a better and more successful information technology industry in the world. References 1) Bentley, P., Whitwell, L. & J. Stevens (2011). Devastated Apple staff plan celebration of Steve Jobs’ life as world mourns death of visionary genius, dailymail, Retrieved on February 5, 2012 from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045842/Steve-Jobs-dead-Apple-staff-plan-celebration-life-world-mourns-death-genius.html 2) “Biography of Steve Jobs and Timeline of Apple” (2011), Kaleazy, Retrieved on February 5, 2012 from: http://kaleazy.com/biography-of-steve-jobs-and-timeline-of-apple/ 3) Branson, R. (October 6, 2011), Virgin’s Richard Branson: Apple boss Steve Jobs was the entrepreneur I most admired, The Telegraph, Retrieved on February 5, 2012 from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/steve-jobs/8811232/Virgins-Richard-Branson-Apple-boss-Steve-Jobs-was-the-entrepreneur-I-most-admired.html 4) Greenleaf, R.K. & L.C. Spears (2002). Servant leadership: a journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness, New Jersey: Paulist Press 5) “The Impact of Culture on Creativity” (2009), europa, Retrieved on February 5, 2012 from: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/key-documents/doc/study_impact_cult_creativity_06_09.pdf Read More