Balancing Standards and Innovation: Insights from Steve Jobs

In the world of technology, there’s a constant tug-of-war between adhering to standards and pushing the boundaries of innovation. For Steve Jobs, this tension wasn’t just inevitable—it was essential for progress. Standards provide an accessible foundation, keeping costs down and technology available to the masses. However, when companies simply stick to the standard, they often lack the motivation to innovate, which ultimately stifles growth and limits customer benefits.

Steve Jobs, co-founder, Apple

The Role of Innovators: Leaping Beyond the Baseline

Jobs believed that true innovation goes beyond standards by building on them and then taking bold, revolutionary steps forward. Take, for example, the launch of the Macintosh in 1984. The Mac wasn’t just an improvement; it was a complete overhaul in computing, bringing a graphical user interface years ahead of competitors. In contrast, many companies in the PC world were simply making incremental improvements.

For innovators, this leap is risky—embracing new ideas might fail or go against industry norms. Yet, Jobs believed it’s this “revolutionary” approach that propels the industry forward. Innovations like the Mac gave Apple a head start, forcing competitors to play catch-up.

Revolution vs. Evolution: A Necessary Dynamic

Jobs saw the evolution-revolution balance as vital to tech progress. The “revolutionaries”—the companies that push boundaries—drive change and set new benchmarks. But this comes with a deadline; if they don’t reach a critical mass of users before the evolutionary players catch up, they risk getting absorbed into the mainstream.

The best example is how, seven years after the Macintosh launch, IBM-compatible PCs finally started adopting similar graphical interfaces. This evolution of standards allowed more people to access advanced technology, but it was the revolutionary spirit of the Mac that had paved the way.

A Lasting Lesson for Innovators

Steve Jobs’ perspective is a timeless reminder for companies today: building on standards is just the beginning. True success lies in taking risks, leaping forward, and sparking revolutions that move entire industries.

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Source: Steve Jobs Interview - 7/22/1991 - On 10 Years of the Personal Computer