The Dark Side of Steve Jobs
To most, the name Steve Jobs came with a host of adjectives: innovative, creative, a man of vision. He is a man who took Apple from a nearly bankrupt company to one of the fastest-rising companies in history. Behind the glamorous picture, though, lay a more controversial side of Steve Jobs, begging the question, was he truly a great, visionary leader or an unsavoury tyrant who trampled anyone who dared stand between him and success?
But this isn’t the story that Apple’s PR machine wants you to know, and in recent years more insiders and former colleagues have come forward different picture of Jobs has emerged: one of a cold, manipulative, sometimes cruel man.
A Genius or a Bully?
The leadership style of Steve Jobs has always polarized people into arguments. His defenders say his brilliance and relentless pursuit of perfection pushed Apple to become the global powerhouse it became. They are quick to say that without his singular vision, we wouldn’t have the sleek devices taken for granted.
But critics paint quite another picture. Behind closed doors, Jobs was notorious for his cruel treatment of his employees. He loudly screamed at staff, belittled co-workers, and would dismiss employees on the spot if their work didn’t meet his impossible standards.
According to some, Jobs was a master in the art of emotional manipulation, using fear to control people around him. Is that the behaviour of a true leader, or simply a bully in a turtleneck?
A True Visionary or Just Lucky Timing?
Much of the mythos around Jobs is firmly tied to his image as a sort of visionary man who could see into the future of technology. But how much of that was foresight, and how much was just a case of being in the right place at the right time? To be sure, some would argue that most of its iconic products iPod, iPhone, and iPad weren’t ideas themselves, but refinements of existing technologies.
Though Jobs was a genius when it came to promoting his products, a few would contest that a lot of what he achieved came out of sheer brilliance from Apple’s engineers, designers, and even competitors. In other words, it is arguable that Jobs rode on the crest of Silicon Valley’s innovative culture which was in overdrive.
Was He Truly a Family Man? | The Dark Side of Steve Jobs
His personal life gives another twist to an already complicated legacy. While he might be remembered as charming from his keynote speeches, behind the scenes, his relationship with his family was much more strained. He famously denied the paternity of his first daughter, Lisa, for years, even though a court ruling decided that indeed he was her father. And though years later he acknowledged her, the damage had already been done.
Innovation vs. Morality Debate
It begs the broader question. Can we separate innovation from morality? Many people would say that the amazing technological advances Jobs brought to the world outweigh his shortcomings as a leader, a manager, and a person. After all, he changed industries forever: personal computing, mobile technology, and even animated films with the work he did with Pixar.
But others think that luminaries like Jobs are held to a higher standard. If success has been accomplished at the cost of other human beings’ well-being, can it be a success? It’s an argument to be vigorously debated in boardrooms and on kitchen tables.
Unresolved Legacy
Ultimately, however, Steve Jobs’s legacy is divisive. For some, he will always be a game-changing visionary who elevated the world. To others, he was a ruthless man with ambition that came at a terrible price.
But the real question for you is this: Does innovation make up for a lack of empathy? Can we look up to a genius when a person has flaws? Or do we need to ask more from our leaders?
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What Do You Think? | The Dark Side of Steve Jobs
Now it’s your turn. Was Steve Jobs a visionary who earned his place in history or is his darker side tainting his legacy? Have you experienced/witnessed a similar kind of leadership style in your life? I would love to hear from you in the comments. Continue the debate by responding to the comments left by your peers.