Service Development Within the Highly Lucrative IT Sector - Assignment Example

THE LEADERSHIP OF STEVE JOBS (APPLE INC by Executive Summary Steve Jobs was a pioneer and great inventor, to which the existing global society owes a lot. His unique ability to perceive things differently clearly cut him out over the rest, especially due to his visionary tenacity and no-nonsense nature. As a visionary, he was able to successfully nurture the near bankrupt Apple Inc., into the success story it is today. His, was a unique blend of leadership style and management; amply influenced by his personal character and traits. In terms of leadership, he constantly envisage production as being driven by not only profit making, but also the efficiency, effectiveness and viability of a given product or service within a given situational context. His, was a much-admired achievement, abate the extreme nature of his interaction and leadership. The result of his tenacity and visionary path was the unveiling of different products and services, which have further endeared Apple Inc., as a firm-entity, to consumers globally. Introduction Steve Jobs was a great influential figure of not only the past century, providing a platform for future leaders and visionary leaders. This is seen best, in his nurture of Apple Inc., from the small start-up venture it was, to the current global leader it is today. In the paper, focus will be placed on his early life and personality, in addition to his leadership at Apple Inc. both before and after his humiliating ouster from his creation. There will also be a discussion of his unique leadership style and management, in reference to existing theory and practice as found within contemporary society. The paper will also delve into his unique characteristics and personality traits. Finally, his contribution to society, especially in the Information Technology industry will be discussed in summation; concerning leadership and management. The Leadership of Steve Jobs (Apple Inc.,) Steve Jobs, as an American inventor, entrepreneur and marketer, was responsible for the co-founding and ascend of Apple Inc., into the global success story it is today. He, as Simon and Young (2005) provide, was both the Chairman and CEO of the firm-entity, despite the tough times faced from the team present within the corporation’s boardrooms. His personality and role-play, was more of both a leader and manager as his rich entrepreneurial history provide. During 1985, when he briefly left Apple, founding neXT, a computer platform development firm, specializing in business and higher education markets. From then, just before going back to Apple Inc., he engaged in different ventures i.e. acquiring Lucas film’s computer graphic division, to later spin off as Pixar (Simon & Young, 2005:52). He engaged in animation movies production, to be credited in the successful 1995 – Toy story. His success and vision enabled him serve as both majority shareholder and CEO until Disney later purchased Pixar in 1996. His NeXT computer platform (through the NeXTSTEP platform) was to provide a critical foundation for the Mac OS X (Simon & Young, 2005:56). To be noted is that Apple had been unable to deliver on its promise of a compatible operating system for the computer in question. This enabled his gradual comeback to his first company, first as advisor and then as interim CEO. It is through both his leadership style and management abilities that he was able to convert Apple’s near-bankrupt operations into the profitable entity it is. This attests to his wide consideration and recognition as a charismatic and visionary leader, as Stross (1993) alludes. This is especially within the information technologies industry, where he was considered more of both a leader, as well as a strict manager. Considered a charismatic pioneer, concerning the personal computer revolution, his influential career was present in both the consumer electronics and computer fields. His impacts were and continue to be felt in various disciplines, fields and regions of the world (Stross, 1993:28). The impact has been a transformation of one industry after the other i.e. the personal and office computer, smart phones and communication gadgets, to movies and the music industry. Concerning the movies industry, he co-found the Pixar Animation Studios, in addition to serving as chief executive (Stross, 1993:34). Later on, after the studios’ acquisition by The Walt Disney Company (2006), he served in the latter’s board of directors. In addition to the aforementioned, he was amongst the pioneers, who foresaw the commercial viability of Xerox PARC’s graphic user interface that was mouse-driven. This was to successfully result in the conception of the Apple Lisa, as well as the Macintosh. During this era, he was more of a manager, engaging in managerial roles within the movies’ industry. His role-play, as Butcher (1987) portrays, was also critical in the development and subsequent introduction of the LaserWriter; widely available and hence utilized laser printers (Stross, 1993:24). Through a continued era of financial profitability, as Caddes (1986) asserts, Jobs was able to propel the entity into the globe’s most valuable firm (2011), when publicly traded. This reinvigoration of the company, is regarded by most commentators as one of the greatest turnarounds in the business sector (Caddes, 1986:40). This may partly be pegged on the fact that Jobs was touted as a demanding perfectionist, whose inspiration was focused on positioning the firm as well as products at the very forefront. In the competitive information technology industry, he was able to achieve this by way of both foreseeing and setting trends, especially with regard to style and innovation. This was more of management than leadership, as he attempted to streamline the entity to greater competitiveness (Caddes, 1986:44). Steve Jobs: Early Life and Personality His, was both a demanding and aggressive personality; at times deemed as an egomaniac, where he was both tough and ruthless in his ventures. To some pundits, his leadership style was temperamental in nature because of his company’s performance and global placement in the IT industry. As Gladwell (2011) asserts, even at home, he was a perfectionist who found it hard to furnish adequately. His aim of perfecting things helped him engage his family on the pros and cons of having various household items. This was pegged on the need for efficiency, effectiveness, time and energy management, as well environmental consciousness in all that was utilized around the home (Butcher, 1987:27). . His wife, Powell, attests to his larger-than-life personality being extremely messy, nearly always bullying his way into the running of affairs both at home and in the office. Through a knack for individual weak-points, he was often able to get his way around things, especially concerning the direction and manner in which he wanted Apple to be managed. In this regard, he was not only a leader, but also a manager, in the manner in which he dealt with subordinates amongst others in his life (Gladwell, 2011). Both his professional/ public and private life was complicated, from his different requirements, remarks, and ways of doing things, actions and interaction with others. As Caddes (1986) hints, an example of this is his constant order for the painting and re-painting of machines and robots; during his compulsive revision of the firm’s color scheme (Caddes, 1986:62). While it had plentiful of coal, and a good and effective patent system, the UK also had relatively higher labor cost, which further propelled the search for more effective labor-saving innovations. Through its larger skilled population i.e. artisans and engineers, as opposed to other competitors, the UK was thus able to propel the global society on the industrial path. Fine examples of such individuals were - Samuel Crompton, Henry Stones, and James Hargreaves, who was able to configure the spinning mule, in terms of acceleration and deceleration. Adding to this were individuals such as William Kelly, John Kennedy and Richard Roberts, who further enhanced the overall precision, efficiency and effectiveness of the invention. It is such individuals, through their contributions by way of micro-inventions, who paved the path for other inventions of the future especially about macro-inventions, as is the case with Steve Job’s creations (Gladwell, 2011). Unique Leadership Style and Management Organizations require leadership and management, which are uniquely tailored to the existing industry and social contexts. As Bass (1985) alludes, both apposite and dependable leadership is vital for any organization’s success. Leaders as individuals do/ ought to aspire for greater positive change especially in people towards a desired goal or end-result. Leadership, as a procedure, not only influences employees, but also other leaders as well (Bass, 1985:57). This is towards accomplishing the organizational goals set, through change and advancement. Leadership, as a personality, intertwines both leaders and employees present; change; individuals affected; influence and organizational objectives amongst others (Bass, 1985:60). The above is informed by the fact that leadership involves people though the main question is to where and how such leadership is an avenue towards greater success and development. Different pundits define leadership as the effective planning, directing and guidance of individuals and initiatives, towards greater attainment of mutual goals set (Bass, 1985:76). Exemplary leadership, as shown by Steve Jobs is rooted in the initiation and modeling of the path through shared vision, in addition to a challenging process (Bolden et al., 1999:89). This eventually enables others (the workforce present), to become encouraged and practical in dispensing their duties. Steve Jobs, in all senior life, espoused such leadership style, abate to some extreme levels. In terms of theory, both leadership and change were critical to his very nature and being. Through his traits and characteristics, he emerged as a visionary thinker, doer and perfectionist, which was best shown in his products and subsequent services delivery. As Daft (2005) provides, a core characteristic of his leadership style, was the utility of human talents. This was towards enhanced performance output, integrity and trust in both the employee force present and the organization at large. He alludes to such a leader’s personality playing a major role in terms of leadership style and characteristics. This is informed by the fact that personality encompasses such an individual’s distinguishable characteristics, which classify his/ her behavioral manner ((Daft, 2005:65). Steve Job’s personally did affect organizational conduct, as well as attitudes and insight, within Apple as a developing entity; thus enabling him push it to success. Despite the accusations of being extreme and a perfectionist in nature, he was able to better understand and know his employees’ personalities. It is through this avenue that he was able to direct both behavior and performance output towards his goal and aims. Concerning his personality trait, he exhibited surgency, which portrayed his need for power by way of his controlling nature, as well as enjoyment of competition, in which he could win. He was more inclined towards little if any affiliation, founded on his ambitious nature. This is portrayed by the fact that he was more concerned with his influence over others, especially concerning Apple employees, than what other people thought of him (Montana & Charnov, 1993:193). Influencing others is a trait, which a leader like Jobs required in order to communicate ideas and perspectives effectively. As Lussier and Achua (2004) points out, he did this uniquely, so that not only did Apple employees accept such ideals, but also further became motivated towards the implementation of requisite changes. Another trait found in Jobs, was that of conscientiousness, where he took up personal initiative and responsibility of all issues concerning the firm. This was towards solving existing problems, through being goal-oriented, his strive for excellence, his constant search for new challenges and desire for direct and concrete feedback from employees present. Through persistence, he was able to cultivate an organizational culture aimed at enhancing greater positive change in society as a whole (Achua, 2004:54). Jobs utilized his marketing skills, through creative genius, to further expand the consumer market-base for such products. He had the ability to influence (intentionally), those around him in the aim of guiding, structuring and facilitating relationships and activities in the organization or group of individuals. As a leader, he was able to influence Apple employees towards the achievement of the firm’s goals, at the same time providing management (Burns, 1978:37). Here, as Kouze and Posner (2007) provide, he utilized his authority as CEO and chairperson of the board of directors, to obtain compliance from organizational members on his stringent ideas, and perspectives. This is displayed in his manner of coping with both complexity and change within the IT sector (Posner, 2007:15). To be noted is that Jobs was more concerned with the completion of tasks, as opposed to the formation and sustenance of relationships. While uniquely extreme at given occasions, mainly influenced by the prevailing circumstances and contexts, Jobs also possessed solid integrity and strong character (Lussier & Achua, 2004:57). This enabled him chart the firm’s course, into greater opportunities and venture entrepreneurship that is displayed today. In terms of credibility, he was not only a visionary, but also an astute believer in the need for clarity of one’s beliefs and stand. Thus, he put what he thought and spoke of, into practice, thereby acting on his beliefs. Such aspects and trait are critical in terms of change theory and implementation measures. There was some aspect of utility of scientific management, where different departments and/ divisions were uniquely placed and equipped, towards performing specific tasks. However, this was utilized in a mixed manner/ form, with Jobs proving to be more of an authoritarian figurehead (Chan & Chan, 2005:417). To be noted is that as things progressed, there was more worker involvement, in terms of their ideals, input and perspectives. Jobs however, usually had the last say in terms of product output and the company course/ direction. He utilized a mix of charisma, charm, hyperbole, bravado, persistence marketing and appeasement, to gain an advantage over other existing competitors in the IT sector. Through motivation of those around him, his employees were able to create innovative products and services.. Such a style of leadership, and management, cannot be taken too far, according to my views. This is because there is a need to strike a balance, between the middle ground where trade-offs and consensus is achievable, and the extreme, to which he belonged. This was even influential in his personal life, thus clear-cutting his as a unique individual and icon. The reason behind this is that contemporary organizational culture; in terms of theory and practice, is more interaction and hence involves the contribution of all players output (Bass, 1988:56). Thus, the qualities of effective leadership and pertinent followership should be similar in nature i.e. unselfish service and respectable qualities/ personality. In summation, the best leaders are those individuals who posses deep interest in others and thus, can therefore bring out the best of their capacity. Currently, with Apple as a firm, riding on its high success, requires more of a manager, who will be able to integrate all aspects of the business towards future growth and continued success. I am of the view that Jobs would have been the right person for the entity, abate with a change in his leadership style and more focus on management of the entity as a whole (Kouzes & Posner, 2007:23). Leadership does have two core components, as Bolden et al., (2003) posit i.e. organizational and personal. Thus, for success to be achieved there is need for both commitment and knowledge of both, over time. A successful leader, such as Jobs is envisaged as someone who is both suitable and accountable in his/ her position. To best put it, leadership is described as an influential relationship (positive), between leaders and their employees (Bolden et al., 2003:82). In such a relationship, there is the intent of instilling real outcomes and changes, which do reflect the shared purposes in life. In conclusion, Steve Jobs is accredited with mapping the way forward, in terms of product and service development within the highly lucrative IT sector. Through his pioneering capacity, tenacity and visionary input, he has nurtured Apple into the success story it is today. While some critics do blame him on his manner of leadership, which is touted as being more to the extreme, others laud him for his great success, in not only product innovation, but also marketing and strategic placement of the entity. The result has been the wide range of high quality products, which are more convenient in the present day society. Reference List Bass, B 1985, Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: Free Press. 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