Mr. Apple’s Leadership Lessons (Part 1)

 Think a minute…Apple Computer’s Steve Jobs’ death from cancer at the age of 56 touched millions. His impact on the world through the Macintosh computer, iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iTunes will continue for many years.

But how did he take his baby business that he started at the age of 20 in his family’s garage, to become one of the most valuable companies in the world? In his own words, Steve Jobs tells us his “operating system” for success in life and work. He gives us wise lessons for leading our career and helping lead others.

His first lesson: You must be willing to take a risk. He said, “Innovation is the difference between a leader and a follower.” A leader must be willing to leave the safe status quo of the way things have always been done to lead others to a new, better way of doing things.

Jobs said, “Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your own inner voice…Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” A successful man I know says: “Be a voice, not an echo”…of everyone else’s way of thinking.

Steve Jobs’ second leadership lesson is: You must know and live your life’s mission. He said, “Your work will fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be satisfied is to do what you believe is great work…and love what you do…Being the richest man in the cemetery does not matter to me…Going to bed at night knowing we had done something wonderful…that’s what matters.” 

As Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, explains: “You were not created just to consume resources—to eat, breathe and take up space…You were designed to add life on earth, not just take from it.” But to do that we must know our own special abilities and passion in life that God gave us. So what do you do well? What do you enjoy doing? 

You have a one-of-a-kind mix of abilities, passion, personality, experience and education. There is not another human being in the world exactly like you. You are going to give your life for something, so why not make it the right thing that you were made for?

It feels good to do what your Maker designed only you to do. Won’t you ask Jesus to help you start knowing and living your life’s special passion and purpose? Just think a minute… 

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