MGT301 MODULE 4
Table of Contents
2.1. Leadership Functions of Steve Jobs. 4
2.2. Leadership Style of Steve Jobs. 6
2.2.2. Charismatic and Visionary. 7
2.2.3. Transformative Leader 7
MGT301 MODULE 4
1. Introduction
Good leaders are known to possess attributes that enable them to be competent. They are able to get a good grasp of things around them and meet their leadership duties as well as possess the best leadership style with regard to his staff. CEO Steve Jobs has been considered to be the best leaders of the decade by Fortune Magazine.
Steve Jobs has been the CEO from 1997 after playing part to the starting of several companies. In reference to Fortune Magazine, it is not common for an individual to be removed from his company in the 80s and goes back to business a decade later to change things (David, 2010). A decade later, he is able to reach the level of a principal personality in four huge industries, adding to that he becomes the chief executive officer of the most expensive company in Silicon Valley.
This paper focuses on the leadership functions and styles of Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs functions like being visionary, good communication and motivation as well as a change agent makes his leadership functions noticeable. On the other hand his style of being creativity, and transformative creates his exceptional nature as the CEO of the decade as described by Fortune Magazine.
2. Steve Jobs Leadership Functions and Style
The function of a CEO is affected by the size, urgency and form of change needed; the ability and failings of the company; and the personal style of the leader. The leadership style shows itself in the model of the company. This section looks to address the functions and styles that Steve Jobs possessed making him an exceptional leader.
2.1. Leadership Functions of Steve Jobs
2.1.1. Vision
Steve Jobs passion manifested itself in his work regardless of its size. A good number of CEOs are great at vision; while others know that God plays a part in their work. Jobs possessed both. According to Time Warner’s CEO, Jobs possessed salient characteristics that gave the ability and desire to foresee overarching approach while at the same time being keen on the smallest features of design. For instance, in 2000 he created the grand vision that personal computer ought to be a ‘digital hub’ for controlling all of the music, video, photos and content of the users (Burrows, et al, 2006). This led to Apple to be incorporated into the business using the iPod and later the iPad. A decade later, he created a big server farm that would make it possible for the users to upload and synced with other devices effortlessly. As this was taking place, he was busy coming up with ideas on the model and color of the screws to be used in the iMac.
2.1.2. Communication
Steve Jobs has been attributed as being a visionary leader. This has been acquired through not just foreseeing the future, but he similarly changed the vision into reality with exceptional communication skills. Steve Jobs was a leader who formed and advanced vision, passed it to others in a vivid manner and then applied it. He was voted the best in 2005 and he went on to build his unique intro of iPhone two years later.
Jobs relayed to the people he worked with of the type of world he wanted to see and hear. He described the prevailing situation with technology which was awful and what he communicated reflected in what he was doing. He told his staff what his company had undertaken so as to create an emerging thing that would affect the present case. Benefits from our work were set to be acquired from what was done and this was communicated on how it ought to look like and what it aimed to meet. The excitement by Jobs reflected shown on his staff as a way of motivation (David, 2010). He did not just change technology and the manner that we all lived; he went on to alter the manner business interactions take place. Popular for his Apple product, he applied the word ‘Rock Star’ into the business arena. This has changed the manner that CEOs communicate. The issues that were noted with PowerPoint were solved with the help of visuals and relayed his visions with passion. He was well prepared, reliable and with a point to share with others. His most notable speech was done in Stanford University in 2005. What he relayed reflects on businesses and the world as a whole.
2.1.3. Motivation
Steve Jobs is a leader who is described as a person who cared most about perfection and management. He motivated the people around him leading the companies he was involved in to grow to greater heights. Through this, he was able to foresee the creation of products from Macintosh to great innovations like iPad, iPhone and other inventions.
Motivation from a leader replicates itself in the minds of the staff and leads to exemplary results if well managed. Steve Jobs has been known to pass his inspirational desires to his staff of how life would be different from how it is currently (Rosenbach, & Taylor, 2006). These visions went to motivate his staff into the creation of successful companies as we know them today to be. It is hence through his leadership he brings about motivation, morale and effectiveness of those that work with him.
2.1.4. Agent of Change
An agent of change affects the operations of where he goes for the better. His impact is felt from what he does. Steve Jobs was a change agent. He began from the times of personal computers and with his vision manifested itself at Apple all through the technology industry and got the economy ready for the period of information.
With the internet here with us, one can get the sense of a person and the number of people he impacted, getting to know him once and were admired by him. His impact, as stated earlier, was when he addressed the Stanford University in 2005 where he stated of his despise for control.
Steve Jobs having being ejected out of Apple in the 80s, he got back ten years later when the company was on its knees. He went on to enhance the product lines of the company for the better. Exceptional design was Jobs greatest values (Burrows, et al, 2006). In the next computer company, his exceptional nature brought about a product that was special and incorporated cutting-edge technologies though charged above what customers were able to afford.
In 2005, he came up with Mac mini that was affordable and appealed to the customers from its message and features. These changes went on being led by his vision and passing it to his staff and motivating them for effective results to me acquired.
2.2. Leadership Style of Steve Jobs
Creativity in coming with effective choices, charismatic leadership and the capability to acclimatize to changing market setups stated Apple Computer’s success in the leadership of Steve Jobs. He took up leadership positions that played a major role into making of a great company. The companies influenced the digital age in a great way.
2.2.1. Creativity
Steve Jobs’ creativity is shown in the several decisions that made Apple to become an innovation leader. A good example is its involvement with Microsoft that made it possible for Apple. His style of leadership motivated the company to go back to its innovative source (Robbins & Judge, 2007). He moved his interest to software that advanced iTunes and hence the iPod.
2.2.2. Charismatic and Visionary
The leadership skills of Steve Jobs led to Apple’s effectiveness. The company had faced a number of issues that needed urgent attention. A leader that had the ability to motivate others, offer a workable framework and allocated sufficient influence. Jobs lead Apple to excellent levels due to his charisma. He was loved due to his ability to meet the needs of the job allocated to him he was allocated influence by being named the CEO.
He had the ability to change Apple through stressing on software and customer needs. He went on to take risks so as to meet his vision that he had shared with his staff (Rosenbach, & Taylor, 2006). A good example is his partnership with Bill Gates.
2.2.3. Transformative Leader
A transformative leader looks to change the company to greater and more successful heights than he found it. He calls into play the all of the staff to share in his desire for a growing and successful company. Jobs set up a plan for the company’s main objective that was not fully met. He later went on to guide and motivate his staff through giving them roles and made sure that his vision was met. He moved the company through getting in influential players like Jeff Robbin who advanced the iTune (Robbins, & Judge, 2007). Jobs did acquire an influential role and made sure the company met its goals.
3. Conclusion
Steve Jobs was exceptional leadership functions and styles for him to be named the CEO of the decade by Fortune Magazine. The impact that a leader has on a company, as jobs did, is reliant on the setting among other issues. Jobs showed his vision for a successful world with the help of technology which was relayed to his staff and were motivated. It is through this that his attribute as a change agent was noted. Additionally, his leadership style of being charismatic lead to Apple to be successful bringing on board his staff and major players in the industry. Creativity was noted in all of his work going from iPhone, iPad and other inventions that he helped create. Jobs certainly did prove to be a true leader.
References
Burrows, P., Grover, R., & Green, H. (2006). Steve Job’s Magic Kingdom. New York. Business Week, February 6, 2006, Issue 3970, page 62. Retrieved on 1st July, 2013 from:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_06/b3970001.htm
David, L. (2010). Commentary: The Last Pitchamn. Business Week on line, June 10, 2010. Retrieved on 1st July, 2013 from: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_25/b4183004440240.htm
Robbins, S., & Judge, T. (2007). Organizational behavior. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Rosenbach, W., & Taylor, R. (2006). Contemporary issues in leadership. Boulder: Westview Press.
