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In the high-stakes world of leadership, making decisions that align with your team’s vision is crucial. Steve Jobs, known for his visionary leadership at Apple, had a unique approach to decision-making that emphasized the importance of consensus and collaboration. Here’s a closer look at his philosophy.
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The Pitfall of Forced Agreement
Jobs was never a fan of the idea that just because a decision had been made, everyone on the management team should blindly follow it, even if they disagreed. He believed that forcing someone to "buy into" a decision they didn't agree with was a recipe for conflict. According to Jobs, when you ask someone to do something they fundamentally disagree with, you’re setting the stage for future issues. This is because you're essentially asking them to suppress their judgment and act against their beliefs, which, in the long run, is unsustainable.
The Power of Open Dialogue
Instead of relying on authority to push decisions through, Jobs preferred to gather everyone involved in a decision into a room to talk it out until there was genuine agreement. For him, this wasn't about getting everyone in the company on board, but rather ensuring that those who would execute the decision were fully aligned.
This approach is rooted in the belief that you're not just paying people to do things; you're paying them to think, to contribute, and to help steer the company in the right direction. In Jobs' view, finding people to execute tasks is easy. The real challenge is finding people who can tell you what should be done.
The Rare Use of Authority
Interestingly, Jobs could hardly recall a time when he had to pull rank and make a decision purely based on his authority as CEO. For him, leadership wasn't about making unilateral decisions; it was about fostering an environment where the best ideas could emerge through discussion and debate. However, there were rare occasions when, after prolonged disagreement, he had to make the tough call to part ways with someone who wasn't aligned with the team’s direction.
The Lesson: Building Consensus is Key
Steve Jobs' approach to decision-making teaches us that true leadership isn’t about dictating decisions from the top down. It’s about creating a culture where ideas are openly discussed, and decisions are made collectively by those who will implement them. This not only ensures that everyone is on the same page but also leverages the full intellectual capacity of the team. In a world where innovation is key, this kind of collaborative decision-making can be a powerful driver of success.
Real-World Example: Netflix's Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
A real-world example of this philosophy in action can be seen at Netflix, where the company’s culture emphasizes freedom and responsibility. Employees are trusted to make decisions, and there’s a strong focus on context rather than control. This means that rather than being told what to do, employees are given the context they need to make informed decisions themselves, aligning closely with Jobs’ belief in paying people to think and guide the company, not just to execute orders.
Listen to Steve Jobs:
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