Have you ever heard someone say “I have a great idea for a business” or have thought about such a grand idea yourself? It might be fair to say that many organizations begin with a simple idea. However, to transfer an idea into a product or service requires traits. There are many theories that dissect and explain leadership but in certain cases it’s all about the traits. In many situations, multiple theories can apply such as the skills approach, style approach, and contingency theory to name a few. With Steve Jobs, it was his traits that led to the creation of one of the largest companies in the world. Possessing certain traits such as intelligence, self-confidence, and determination is what made him into the leader he was.
The ability to conceive an idea and then implement such idea requires self-confidence, intelligence, and determination. To become a leader one must have followers. To be followed people look for certain traits and characteristics in a leader. The trait approach, in the eyes of followers, is required as followers see their leaders as one that is innovative and can enable change (Northouse, 2013). Innovation requires intelligence. It was Jobs’ ability to piece the puzzle together in determining how and idea becomes a product. Once he shared his vision with his peers he quickly had followers. It was his intelligence that led the people around him to believe in him and his vision.
Self-confidence has been described as sense of self-esteem and self-assurance and the belief that one can make a difference (Northouse, 2013). Jobs always believe he could make a different and change the world. In the film “Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippie” Jobs explained that he had ideas that could change the world (Gray & Quinn, 2011). This ability to have a vision and set goals is essential to leadership. His vision and aspiration continually changed with times which inspired more followers. Even in the past decade with the advent of the iPod and iPhone people are signing up to join Apple in pursuit of that vision in changing the world.
Intelligence is required to turn ideas into a product. Steve Jobs did exactly that with his ability to understand how current technology work and how to make it better. By doing so he has created thousands of jobs within Apple and through their many suppliers and competitors. So not only is he a leader was he a leader in the Apple ecosystem, he was an industry leader. According to Northouse (2013), a person with strong verbal ability, perpetual ability, and reasoning are far more superior leaders. Jobs’ competence with these abilities allowed him to thrive in unknown territory and invent spectacular consumer products.
Without determination we may have never heard the names Apple, iPod, iMac, or iPhone. “People with determination are willing to assert themselves, are proactive, and have the capacity to persevere in the face of obstacles (Northouse, 2013).” Jobs certainly had his fair share of obstacles. First, he had to compete in an industry of the likes of IBM which during the 1970’s ruled the computer industry. Second, he was fired from Apple and left in defeat (Gray & Quinn, 2011). With determination, Jobs then founded the computer company Next and co-founded Pixar which again created more jobs. Determination proved to be a valuable trait throughout his lifetime as he continued to revolutionize the computer industry.
To conclude, Steve Jobs had the right traits to create jobs. It was his self- confidence, intelligence, and determination that made him the leader he became. The trait theory specifically applies to Steve Jobs as these characteristic were demonstrated throughout his career. Without his ability to act on these traits I might not be writing this assignment on my iPad.
References
Gray, L., & Quinn, T. (Directors). (2011). Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy [Motion Picture]. England: British Broadcasting Company.
Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.