Success Advice
8 Inspiring Ways Steve Jobs Changed the World
Apple’s success can be ascribed to two things: visionary leadership and innovative leadership

With Steve Jobs’s resignation as the CEO of Apple, the world went into a tizzy. Scrip fell and recovered gradually. He is one of the most iconic CEOs in the world and is a leadership icon who always sets high standards for innovation. He changed the way people use technology through constant innovation.
Apple’s success can be ascribed to two things: visionary leadership and innovative leadership. Steve was a rare leader who possessed these two leadership traits and integrated them effectively to put Apple on the international map. He became synonymous with Apple and here are the hallmarks of his leadership.
Steve = Passion
Follow your passion as your passion ultimately delivers the goods and determines your destiny. It is a fact that the people who pursued their passions rather than money earned both name and fame and carved a niche for themselves.
The success of the iPod is possible because Steve passionately spent four hours a week, 50 weeks a year for 12 years, discussing with software, hardware, and design experts to come up with the most brilliant ideas.
Research reveals that given the choice between passion and money, it is the passion that counts, not money. When you work in your passionate areas you enjoy your life and provide meaning to your life.
Over some time you will be contributing your best thus delivering amazing outcomes. When people work in their passionate domains they don’t feel that they are working anymore as they don’t get stressed out due to their deep involvement, commitment, and passion.
Such people create their own identities and build their own brands. In the long run, they are recognized and rewarded. Then money starts flowing gradually. In contrast, when people opt for money and work they ruin their health as they don’t enjoy their lives and ultimately spending for doctors whatever they have earned.
Steve = Vision
Steve is such a visionary that where the imagination of others stops there starts his imagination and that made him stay ahead of his competitors.
Steve has clarity of mind. He knows where he would like to go and how he would take his people there. He created imagery pictures for his people and connected with them effectively.
He is a great speaker who communicated well and articulated his vision effectively with his people. Only when vision is strong and well-articulated leaders can easily achieve their goals.
Steve = Focus
Steve is focused on his goals and objectives. He knows where his heart is and worked throughout his life with dedication thus hitting the bull’s eye.
He says, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.”
Steve = Example
No leader can influence others easily except through example. Steve stands for example. He dedicated his life to technology and lived up to it. He walks his talk delivers his best and expects the best from others.
It will have a tremendous impact on others thus contributing their best for organizational effectiveness and excellence.
Steve = Tenacity
Steve is noted for his tenacity and resilience. He has been fighting since the early days. He was an adopted child and survived by selling Coke bottles and having free meals at the Hare Krishna temple in Oregon. He did not lose his heart when he was fired.
On his ouster from Apple Steve said, “It was awful-tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life’s gonna hit you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.” He focused on his work rather than blaming his circumstances.
He pursued his passion for technology. When he was recalled to Apple many doubted his capabilities in the then-prevailing business environment. He proved his critics wrong and put Apple on top of the world through his passion and perseverance.
He displayed tremendous tenacity since childhood by fighting against several odds stacked against him including cancer.
Steve = Persistence
When we look at Edison he failed several times to invent the bulb. When asked about the same he said that he did not fail but he had learned several ways that did not work to invent bulk. Hence, it is persistence that makes people achieve big.
He once remarked, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
Steve = Excellence
Aristotle said, “Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a particular way.” Steve acquired the quality of excellence by constantly working in technology. He emphasized on value addition to the existing products and services through his constant innovation and creativity.
He believed in excellence rather than perfection. He raised the bar for himself and others. It ultimately led to excellence thus staying ahead of others in the race.
Steve asserts, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Steve = Apple
Currently, Steve is synonymous with Apple and he created such an impact in the minds of people globally. His successor Timothy Cook has a tough challenge ahead.
Whenever charismatic leaders left their successors felt the heat. Leaders always find it tough to meet the aspirations and expectations of customers and consumers. In the case of Timothy, it is very tough as his predecessor left a strong legacy who was charismatic and whose impact is deeply felt all over the world. However, Timothy would sail smoothly as Steve’s departure was well anticipated in advance due to his poor health, and succession was laid much earlier.
When the legendary Jack Welch left GE, the scrip fell and his successor Jeff Immelt found it tough to match the charisma of Jack Welch. However, through his soft leadership, Jeff could gradually fill the slot by molding as per the prevailing business environment.
Similarly, Timothy would evolve gradually as a leader with his own identity. However, it is still difficult to match Steve’s charisma.
Steve falls into the category of hard leaders and transactional leaders like Jack Welch who means business with a task-orientation mindset.
Although it is not appreciated currently it is still prevalent and we cannot altogether get out of hard leadership as people are different and leaders are different in their attitudes, aptitudes styles, and temperaments.
Steve becomes an amazing case study for many; be it for students or executives who proved that everything is possible in this world through passion, vision, mission, execution, and above all, innovation.
Most charismatic leaders hit their horns and create a leadership vacuum. They make their absence felt more.
Although Steve is a charismatic leader he paved the succession smooth but his absence will be felt more with his resignation. By leaving as CEO of Apple Steve handed over a big job for his successor Timothy Cook.
Steve = Legend
When the entire technological world got into rate race and so-called PC wars, Steve trod the path less traveled thus becoming a trailblazer and legend. He started as a small fish in a big pond and ultimately became a big pond of innovation and excellence.
He rewrote the rules of business and changed the way technology works. He made a qualitative difference in the lives of people through his technological contributions.
He is remembered not only for his outstanding contributions but also for his visionary and innovative leadership in the world.
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The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”
While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.
Why This Gap Exists
Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.
What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.
Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap
Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.
1. Practice Mutual Empathy
Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.
2. Maintain Professional Boundaries
Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.
3. Follow the Golden Rule
Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.
4. Avoid Micromanagement
Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.
5. Empower Employees to Grow
Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.
6. Communicate in All Directions
Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.
7. Overcome Insecurities
Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.
8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship
True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.
9. Eliminate Favoritism
Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.
10. Recognize Efforts Promptly
Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.
11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews
When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.
12. Provide Leadership Development
Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.
13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles
Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.
The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role
Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:
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Build diverse talent pipelines
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Embrace flexible work models
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Design compelling career paths
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Simplify HR processes
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Redefine the value HR brings
The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.
Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff
When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.
Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.
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