The Lessons from Life and Times of Steve Jobs - Book Report/Review Example

The Lessons from Life and Times of Steve Jobs From the onset, Isaacson’s depiction of Steve Jobs was well done. The introduction of the book acknowledges that Steve wanted the book to relay the truth without hiding anything. Indeed, Steve began from noble background and eventually founded one of the biggest companies in the history of the world. Similar, he encountered numerous challenges while doing that and was kept alive by the zeal and the dream he envisaged since his youthful days. Even in death Steve Jobs remains an icon; one which many would like to identify with. In essence there is much that can be learnt from the story of Steve Jobs; depending on the angle that one would love to look at it from. The lessons d not only cling to leadership aspect but on other aspects of life as well. It is axiomatic that Steve Jobs belongs to the elite group of Americans whose efforts have shaped, not only the United States but the, entire world. Steve can confidently be compared to the likes of Ford Henry and Thomas Edinson. The three men had something in common. They all imagined things that others could not imagine and put their imaginations into practice to build business brands that have stood the test of time. Many would agree that they had the “American dream” The most evident virtues from the story of Steve are the zeal and resilience in doing what one believes in. Not many people would endure the tribulation that Steve endured to make Apple the brand that it is today. For instance Steve Jobs began working on his dream in 1976 at his parents’ garage. Nine years later he was ousted from the company he had built from scratch. It took him almost another eight years to regain control of the company and save it from financial downfall in 1997. It follows that he had both passion and belief in the brand he was developing; critical virtues that can help anyone who harbors desires and dreams of achieving anything in life. All the aspirations and dreams of Jobs are evident I the commercial that was put in 1997 that world is only changes by people who have the craziest of ideas that they can do things to change the world. It would be untruthful to states that the story does not bring out negative elements of Steve Jobs life but the focus, if any positive lessons are to be drawn, should be on the positive attributes. Like any other human, Jobs had weakness but he surmounted his weakness towards fulfilling his dream of changing the world; something that he had thought of for a long time. Under ordinary circumstances high emotionality, impatience and moodiness are considered as negative things. However, for Steve he combined those human feelings with his dreams and passion to work and only focused on the positive knowing to well that, like other people, he was not in control of his emotions. In that regard, a lesson is evident. People should focus on things that they can change and work towards changing them. Steve was equally considered as a rough and tough person on others. When asked about that he would point to the results of his rough and tough nature. Many of his employees and colleagues would later agree with his leadership style as they eventually made brands that have hit the entire world; some which will never be firmed. Even at his death bed many came because he represented achievement. He was an inspiration to many people. He brushed shoulder with other people, especially those who did not agree with his ways of doing business but is it is important to give credit where it is due (Carroll, 27). Many people looking up to the story of Jobs would assume that building the great empire implied that he was a saint or did not have emotions like other people. Contrary to that, Jobs was emotional and, through the biography it is evident that he cried a lot; sometimes in front of his colleagues. Similarly, it is documented that at one time he cried to the father of Steve Wozniak (who eventually became his partner) to allow his son to come and work with him on a full time basis. It is agreeable that Apple and other products that were created, and continue to be created, arose out of sheer imaginations given that they were things that ordinary people would not have thought of. Jobs persisted with his high imaginations even after founding his company. His dreams were summarized as reality “distortion field”. One particular event that brings to light the stubbornness of Jobs is the disagreement that he had with engineers regarding the steel used in some part of the phone. To the expert engineers that would result in poor reception but adamant Steve listened to non that. Instead, he encouraged them to find a way in which they would make the band of steel work effectively. Further, even after more persuasion from the team who made a suggestion of using varnish on the band he still refused. To him, that was not a problem worth addressing. He only succumbed to the voice reason when Tim Cook made a plea (Isaacson, 521). Despite the strong feeling that Jobs had in his dreams, it became apparent to him that he needed to work with other people to make his dreams a success. For example once he had purchased the movie creating companies, NeXT and Prixar, he allowed other people to manage those companies and only came to give guidance to them in course of carrying on their duties. He applied the same ideology in running Apple once the company had grown too big for one person to carry out everything. Jobs learned the art of engaging other people through face to face meeting because that would give opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on a variety of issues. For instance he refuted the notion that people have that technology like internet that gives chatting platforms gives ample socializing and interactive platform. To Jobs, meeting face to face was a critical thing with regard to human relations and interactions. Jobs believed that creative ideas arose from the unplanned for meetings that people had in everyday life since people would meet and ideas would flow as a result of the interactions (Isaacson, 431). True to his thoughts, Steve decided to model his Apple headquarters in manner that depicted the need for social interactions of people in a face to face manner; the building has a circular shape. When Jobs was ousted from his company and, later, came back, it is documented that he a bit reluctant to get back to the helm of the company. The positive thing is that following his return, there were wrangles that eventually led to the removal of Amelio. The relative reluctance by Jobs to resume leadership is not well understood but it y may have been caused by the anxiety he had about taking a company that he had seen crumple before. However, there is a lesson that success is sometimes marred with bouts of failure. It was evident that Jobs had gathered enough lessons during the times he was away from Apple. He managed NexT and there is a likelihood that he would use his leadership and management there to run Apple. Indeed, after joining Apple for the second time, Jobs made it one of the biggest brands in the world’s history. Essentially, one can learn that people are bound to make mistakes in life and that people should learn from their mistakes. Mistakes are not peculiar to Jobs alone. Many world leaders have made mistakes but the ability to pick up and forge ahead is what has made them great; that was the story of Steve Jobs. Despite his intelligence, Isaacson has pointed, numerously in the book, thatJobs consulted other people. He also had mentors and friends who supported him in course of doing his jobs. This means that like the saying goes, “no man is an island”, Jobs recognized the significance of involving other people in his life. As a result of interaction with peers, mentors and friends, Steve Jobs was able to transition from what he used to be to a CEO who would negotiate and star profitability to the company. Evidently, people can learn to share with others who would complement their strengths and make a positive thing out of the life story; that was the storyline of Steve Jobs (Carroll, 28). Like any human Jobs learned of his medical conditions with feelings of sorrow. He got comfort from those around him including his wife. His concern was that, in the days following is prolonged sickness, media went frenzy with the question of Apple’s success without him. That was disheartening but Jobs stepped aside for some time and gave Cook the helm. He received mixed feelings when he received the performance of Cook. Sooner a discussion was raised that he should step aside and become the Chairman; and let Cook carry on the role of CEO. Despite his conditions, he found consolation and motivation from his achievements. As a matter of fact, he recovered slightly form his conditions and rose on his feet again (Isaacson, 488). A lesson is evident from the story of Jobs’ ability to persist even in his last days. It shows that people should give back to the society with all their might and get consolation from the positive things that have done in the course of their lifetimes. Jobs, at some point realized that his time was up. He was contented with what he had done. He told Isaacson that, “I have done all that I can” (Isaacson, 559). There is feeling of contentment from that statement. It indicates that he had worked hard and achieved all that he possibly could during his life time. How sweet would it be for people to emulate his story and work hard; try to achieve the desires of their dreams by doing things that can shape the world in a positive way? Jobs remained resilient and consistent in his pursuit of a better world with little or no regrets at all. The only evident desire was he hoped for more time in this life to have more time with his family especially his children. As a matter of fact, Steve Jobs’ motivation and eventually cooperation, that made the book successful, was the motivation that he derived from his children. It is evident that many other books and articles have documented the life and story of Steve Jobs but this one is unique because it was one that depicted his last days. Truly, there may be many other books yet to come about Steve Jobs but this book was a great inspiration to many (Saxena, 183). The book has some lifetime lessons for the readers. To many people, Jobs was and still is an icon. Without his story not many would think that he, too, had personal issues. He was born and raised in an ordinary family but used his great ideas to change the world. In 2010, his company was named the most successful company in the history of the world. Similarly, his company made many profit margins; a company that had been built from scratches. Like any other ordinary person Jobs faced challenges like the ouster from his company. He invented resilience in the midst of the challenges and eventually triumphed. Similarly, he had other human weaknesses. This means that he was an ordinary person who did all that he could to change the world. The life story of Steve Jobs is a lesson to people from all walks of life. It teaches people to rise and shine even when they are in the bottom most points of their lives. It would be adorable for many to say at the end of their life that, they have done their part. Steve Jobs, as rightly put in the book, will remain a legend in as far as invention is concerned. Works cited Carroll, Stephen J. "Steve Jobs as an Artist." Journal of Business and Management 19.1 (2013): 25-32. ProQuest. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. Isaacson, Walter. Steve Jobs. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011. Print. Saxena, Stuti. "What would Steve Jobs do? - how the Steve Jobs Way can Inspire Anyone to Think Differently and Win." South Asian Journal of Management 21.1 (2014): 181-5. ProQuest. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. Read More