Company Culture

The business world has seen significant changes in leadership styles over the years. Following World War II, many companies adopted a military-style hierarchy, where employees followed orders without question and were kept in the dark about the company's operations. However, this approach proved to be inefficient and harmful to the work environment.

Today, many successful companies have adopted a more collaborative and transparent leadership style, which encourages employees to communicate, share ideas, and work together towards a common goal. One of the most famous examples of a leader who adopted this style is Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple.

In the 1980s, Jobs was known for his autocratic approach to leadership, which emphasized secrecy and strict control. However, in 1985, Jobs was removed from Apple due to his overbearing management style. Following his departure, Jobs founded NeXT Computer and eventually became the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios.

At Pixar, Jobs had a revelation. He learned about the power of collaboration and the importance of creating an environment where employees could express their ideas freely. He described Pixar's culture as "collaborative, creative, and communicative." This experience transformed Jobs' approach to leadership.

When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company was struggling. However, he immediately began implementing changes that emphasized collaboration and transparency. Jobs believed that the key to success was to create an environment where employees felt empowered to share their ideas, where communication flowed freely, and where everyone felt invested in the company's success.

Jobs implemented a design-driven approach, which allowed teams to work together on new projects, brainstorm, and iterate until they came up with something that truly stood out. This process led to the creation of some of Apple's most successful products, including the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Under Jobs' leadership, Apple became the most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization that reached $1 trillion in 2018. Jobs' transformation from an autocratic leader to a collaborative and transparent one demonstrates the importance of fostering a positive work environment and empowering employees to share their ideas and contribute to the company's success.

The story of Steve Jobs and Apple is a testament to the power of collaboration and transparency in business leadership. By creating an environment that encourages open communication and teamwork, companies can achieve success and create a positive work culture. As the business world continues to evolve, it's clear that collaboration and transparency will be key components of successful leadership.