Mr. Apple’s leadership lessons (Part 2)
Think a minute…Apple Computer’s Steve Jobs touched millions worldwide through his inventions. But he not only gave us powerful technology, he also gave us powerful principles for success in our daily job and career. Today we will discuss two more of his lessons.
Jobs’ third principle: Train others to replace you. He said, “My job is to make the whole executive team good enough to take my place when I’m gone.” I reach my greatest success when I help others reach theirs. Remember, “A rising tide raises all ships.” At work, and at home, when we help others discover and develop their special abilities, we prepare and equip them to succeed—which can be our greatest success.
Steve Jobs’ fourth and final lesson: Never quit becoming your best. Steve Jobs was only 30 years old, successful, wealthy and famous. But then it all came crashing down. His own company that he had built into a billion-dollar corporation fired him!
He said in his speech at Stanford University: “What had been the focus of my entire adult life suddenly was gone…it was devastating…I was a public failure…the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love…so I decided to start over… I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that ever happened to me…It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life…Remembering that you’re going to die helps you understand you’ve got nothing to lose…So there’s no reason not to follow your heart.”
Jobs then started a new computer company called NeXT. He also started Pixar Animation Studios, which produced hit movies including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Up.”
By 1996 Apple Computer was struggling. So it bought Steve Jobs’ new company NeXT for $429 million and Jobs returned to become Apple’s CEO again. He then led the company to its greatest successes, from the iPod to the iPhone to the iPad.
The word “disciple” means “lifetime learner or student.” That is God’s purpose and plan for you. Won’t you ask Jesus to become your Master and Teacher of life? Only He can enable you to reach your potential to become all He designed and created you to be. Just think a minute…