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> The other half of Apple is big strategic decisions. Do the iPod. Do the iPhone. Do the iPad. It's interesting, though, because to hear Apple's brass tell it,

> The other half of Apple is big strategic decisions. Do the iPod. Do the iPhone. Do the iPad. It's interesting, though, because to hear Apple's brass tell it, the crucial decisions haven't been "do this" so much as they have been "don't do this, don't do that." Apple is huge on focus, and they credit that focus with their success more than anything else. Focus seems to be baked into their culture as much as anything else at this point. A mark of a good leader is being able to build a team that can function even when that leader is absent. So far, Steve Jobs has, for all his eccentricities, succeeded in every other measure of leadership – to an exceptional degree. I'd be pretty shocked if his talents couldn't include the final part of the equation.

mikeleeorg 15y ago
I think you've hit on one of the key leadership traits of Jobs right there - the ability to say, "don't do this, don't do that." Especially when there are entire industries that may be urging him to do something against his vision.
- wisty 15y ago
  That's trainable. What's not trainable is knowing what to say "no" and "yes" to. Steve developed this instinct over a long time. He made a lot more blunders when he was younger, and learned from them.
  - mikeleeorg 15y ago
    Totally agree. And that comes not just from experience, making lots of mistakes and the ability to learn from those mistakes - but also from an ability to be idealistically realistic and see patterns throughout and across industries.
- dunham 15y ago
  Another key trait of a good leader, IMHO, is the ability to train others to do the same. Time will tell if Steve Jobs pulled this off. (You see this in the restaurant industry - the truely great chefs spawn other great chefs.)
miek 15y ago
In the short-term, I'm confident that they can function well absent their leader. Long-term may be a different story. I don't think the company will "follow" Cook the way they follow Jobs. In order to lead like Jobs, Cook will have to make some very bold decisions. The first time one of those fizzles, the resulting fear will be much greater than it would have been, had Jobs been at the helm. Should he have a streak of fizzles, watch out. Apple has a very bumpy ride ahead, I do believe. I really hope they do well, though, because I enjoy their products.
- barkingcat 15y ago
  No, actually. My recommendation to Tim Cook is to not lead like Jobs. There is only one Steve Jobs, and the world knows it. Tim Cook will need to evolve his own leadership style, and the company will need to trust Jobs that he has passed the baton onto the right person. There's no point trying to replace Jobs, because that's impossible. What's possible is for Cook to become someone different, someone, dare I say it, even better than Jobs (ie less of an ass or a douchebag, but just as exacting when it comes to high product standards with the global business acumen when it comes to supply chain management) - do you see it? Tim Cook now has a chance to make magic happen - He's worked so hard over the last few decades just for a chance to stand in that CEO position - and now that he has it - he better make the best of it. My prediction is that Apple will radically change in the next few years - it has to - in order to say goodbye to Jobs, and welcome the new king - Tim Cook.
- stcredzero 15y ago
  In the short-term, I'm confident that they can function well absent their leader. Long-term may be a different story. Apple should do quite nicely for 5 years. After that, it's a big question mark. My bet is that past 5 years, it'll be "never quite as good" as now.
blankenship 15y ago
> [The] crucial decisions haven't been "do this" so much as they have been "don't do this, don't do that." Miles Davis' players often commented that he never told them what to play, but he'd frequently tell them what not to play. Much more effective for building anything great.
mcantelon 15y ago
>the crucial decisions haven't been "do this" so much as they have been "don't do this, don't do that." "It’s incredibly rare that I’ve actually regretted saying no, but I dread my yes’s all the time." -DHH

mikeleeorg 15y ago

I think you've hit on one of the key leadership traits of Jobs right there - the ability to say, "don't do this, don't do that." Especially when there are entire industries that may be urging him to do something against his vision.

wisty 15y ago
That's trainable. What's not trainable is knowing what to say "no" and "yes" to. Steve developed this instinct over a long time. He made a lot more blunders when he was younger, and learned from them.
- mikeleeorg 15y ago
  Totally agree. And that comes not just from experience, making lots of mistakes and the ability to learn from those mistakes - but also from an ability to be idealistically realistic and see patterns throughout and across industries.
dunham 15y ago
Another key trait of a good leader, IMHO, is the ability to train others to do the same. Time will tell if Steve Jobs pulled this off. (You see this in the restaurant industry - the truely great chefs spawn other great chefs.)

miek 15y ago

In the short-term, I'm confident that they can function well absent their leader. Long-term may be a different story. I don't think the company will "follow" Cook the way they follow Jobs. In order to lead like Jobs, Cook will have to make some very bold decisions. The first time one of those fizzles, the resulting fear will be much greater than it would have been, had Jobs been at the helm. Should he have a streak of fizzles, watch out. Apple has a very bumpy ride ahead, I do believe. I really hope they do well, though, because I enjoy their products.

barkingcat 15y ago
No, actually. My recommendation to Tim Cook is to not lead like Jobs. There is only one Steve Jobs, and the world knows it. Tim Cook will need to evolve his own leadership style, and the company will need to trust Jobs that he has passed the baton onto the right person. There's no point trying to replace Jobs, because that's impossible. What's possible is for Cook to become someone different, someone, dare I say it, even better than Jobs (ie less of an ass or a douchebag, but just as exacting when it comes to high product standards with the global business acumen when it comes to supply chain management) - do you see it? Tim Cook now has a chance to make magic happen - He's worked so hard over the last few decades just for a chance to stand in that CEO position - and now that he has it - he better make the best of it. My prediction is that Apple will radically change in the next few years - it has to - in order to say goodbye to Jobs, and welcome the new king - Tim Cook.
stcredzero 15y ago
In the short-term, I'm confident that they can function well absent their leader. Long-term may be a different story. Apple should do quite nicely for 5 years. After that, it's a big question mark. My bet is that past 5 years, it'll be "never quite as good" as now.

blankenship 15y ago

> [The] crucial decisions haven't been "do this" so much as they have been "don't do this, don't do that." Miles Davis' players often commented that he never told them what to play, but he'd frequently tell them what not to play. Much more effective for building anything great.

mcantelon 15y ago

>the crucial decisions haven't been "do this" so much as they have been "don't do this, don't do that." "It’s incredibly rare that I’ve actually regretted saying no, but I dread my yes’s all the time." -DHH