Steve Jobs’ journey is one of the most iconic in the business world, marked by his innovative genius, visionary leadership, and the dramatic moment when he was fired from Apple, the company he founded. However, this setback turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life, teaching him valuable lessons that would later fuel his success and shape the future of technology. Below are some of the key lessons Steve Jobs learned from being fired from Apple.
1. Resilience and Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
Being fired from Apple in 1985, a company he co-founded, was an earth-shattering moment for Steve Jobs. At the time, he was just 30 years old, and it seemed as though his dreams had come to an end. Yet, instead of succumbing to bitterness or self-doubt, Jobs showed remarkable resilience. He picked himself up, started a new venture, and turned adversity into an opportunity.
During this time, Jobs founded NeXT, a computer platform development company focused on the higher education and business markets. While NeXT’s computers didn’t achieve widespread commercial success, the company’s technology and software laid the groundwork for the later development of the web and influenced the development of Apple products once Jobs returned.
Lesson: Adversity often presents the best opportunities for growth. The ability to bounce back from failure, learn from the experience, and adapt is crucial for long-term success.
2. The Importance of Trusting Your Intuition
During his time away from Apple, Jobs learned to trust his instincts more than ever. When he returned to the company in 1997, Apple was struggling, and many believed the company was on the brink of failure. Jobs, however, trusted his intuition about what Apple needed to do to get back on track.
He made bold decisions, such as simplifying the product line and focusing on innovation, which ultimately helped Apple recover. Jobs also pushed for design-centered thinking and focused on making products that not only worked well but were also aesthetically pleasing.
Lesson: Trust your gut and follow your intuition, even when others may doubt you. Jobs learned that often, the best decisions come from within, not from external pressure or conventional wisdom.
3. The Power of Innovation and Creativity
When Jobs was fired from Apple, he realized that innovation and creativity were the lifeblood of his professional identity. At Apple, he had always been at the forefront of technological advancement, but after leaving, he was able to explore his creativity in new ways. His involvement with Pixar, which was eventually sold to Disney, was a major turning point in his career, teaching him the importance of creativity in not only technology but also storytelling and entertainment.
Jobs’ time at Pixar helped him realize that innovation wasn’t just about creating new technology; it was about creating something that resonated emotionally with people. The success of Pixar’s films, such as Toy Story, demonstrated how creative storytelling could connect with audiences on a deep level.
Lesson: Embrace creativity and innovation in all aspects of life. It’s about creating something new, unique, and impactful, whether it’s a product, a story, or a business model.
4. Letting Go of Control and Empowering Others
Steve Jobs was notoriously hands-on and had a reputation for being a micromanager, but after his departure from Apple, he began to understand the importance of trusting others with responsibility. When he returned to Apple in 1997, Jobs took a different approach by empowering his team of engineers and designers to take ownership of their projects.
One key example of this shift was his work with Jony Ive, Apple’s design chief. Jobs had a deep appreciation for Ive’s design sensibilities and allowed him creative freedom. This collaboration led to the development of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad—products that would revolutionize the technology industry.
Lesson: As a leader, it’s essential to empower those around you and let them take responsibility. Great ideas often come from collaborative efforts, and trusting your team can lead to incredible innovation.
5. The Value of Focus
One of the key lessons Jobs learned after being fired from Apple was the importance of focus. Upon his return to Apple, he made the bold decision to streamline the company’s product offerings. Instead of overwhelming the market with multiple products, he cut down Apple’s product line and focused on creating a small number of high-quality products.
Jobs famously said, “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.” This laser-like focus on a few key initiatives allowed Apple to prioritize resources effectively and create groundbreaking products that would change the world.
Lesson: Focus on what truly matters. Saying no to distractions and unnecessary projects is just as important as saying yes to the right ones. Prioritization is key to success.
6. Embracing Failure as Part of the Process
Failure was an integral part of Jobs’ journey. After being ousted from Apple, he had to confront his failure head-on. NeXT was not a commercial success, and Pixar was struggling before it became a massive success. However, Jobs never saw these failures as permanent setbacks. Instead, he viewed them as stepping stones to eventual success.
In fact, Jobs’ time at NeXT and Pixar provided him with invaluable lessons in leadership, management, and creativity. The skills and experiences he gained from these ventures helped him when he returned to Apple, enabling him to lead the company to unprecedented levels of success.
Lesson: Failure isn’t the end; it’s part of the learning process. Embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as fuel for future success.
7. The Importance of Personal Passion
Steve Jobs was known for his intense passion and dedication to the work he did. His deep belief in the potential of technology to change the world drove him throughout his career. When he was fired from Apple, he could have chosen to pursue any number of ventures. But his passion for creating great products—products that were beautiful, functional, and transformative—was the driving force behind his next steps.
This passion fueled his work at NeXT, Pixar, and later at Apple. It was this dedication to creating products that mattered, products that could change the world, that set Jobs apart from other leaders in the tech industry.
Lesson: Follow your passion. When you are deeply invested in something you believe in, you can overcome any challenge and inspire those around you to do the same.
8. The Impact of Good Design
One of the most significant lessons Jobs learned from being fired was the importance of design in creating products that people loved. During his time away from Apple, Jobs became even more obsessed with the intersection of technology and design. When he returned to Apple, he pushed the company to focus on simplicity, elegance, and functionality in its products.
Under his leadership, Apple introduced iconic products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, all of which were not only technologically advanced but also beautifully designed. Jobs believed that design wasn’t just about how a product looked—it was about how it worked and how it made people feel.
Lesson: Design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about creating an experience. Great design can make the difference between a good product and a revolutionary one.
9. Staying Hungry, Staying Foolish
In his famous 2005 Stanford University commencement address, Jobs reflected on his life and career, emphasizing the importance of staying “hungry” and “foolish.” His time away from Apple taught him that success isn’t a linear journey, and there’s always room for personal and professional growth. Even after achieving massive success, Jobs never stopped striving for more and never allowed himself to become complacent.
This mindset was evident in his later work at Apple, where he constantly pushed the company to innovate, reinvent, and disrupt markets.
Lesson: Never stop learning, growing, and seeking new opportunities. Stay hungry for success and never be afraid to take risks.
Conclusion
Steve Jobs’ firing from Apple was a defining moment in his life, one that helped him learn crucial lessons that would shape his future success. Resilience, focus, creativity, trust in others, and the willingness to embrace failure were all essential lessons that Jobs applied in his second act at Apple. By focusing on what truly mattered and staying true to his passion for innovation and design, Jobs helped transform Apple into one of the most valuable and influential companies in the world. His journey reminds us that setbacks are not the end, but rather a chance to reassess, learn, and come back stronger.