Taking the Long View: Leadership Lessons from Steve Jobs
Lately, I’ve been diving into Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, a bestselling biography that’s captivated millions. Based on over forty interviews with Jobs and more than 100 family members, friends, adversaries, and colleagues, the book paints an unvarnished portrait of one of the most influential innovators of our time. As I read about his roller-coaster life and relentless pursuit of perfection, I couldn't help but reflect on a powerful leadership lesson he shared during a 1992 speaking engagement at MIT.
Check it here: Steve Jobs at MIT (1992) - What's the most important thing that you personally learend at Apple?
Now...as a husband, father, son, and brother, I’ve often shared the mentality of being a fixer. It’s like watching someone try to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions — every instinct in me wants to jump in with an Allen wrench and a "trust me, I got this." But sometimes, the most valuable support we can offer is the patience to let others figure things out for themselves.
Jobs was asked a straightforward yet thought-provoking question: "What's the most important thing that you personally learned at Apple that you're doing at NeXT?"
What followed was a pause — one of those legendary Steve Jobs pauses where you could almost hear the neurons firing. He didn't rush. He didn't fill the space with empty words. And then, with characteristic clarity, he delivered a response that resonates just as strongly today as it did then.
The Long View on People
Jobs explained that he had learned to take a longer-term perspective on people. Instead of immediately stepping in to fix problems, his first instinct shifted to something far more valuable: building a team.
Building something great takes patience and a team effort—just like watching the fog lift over the mountains.
Let’s be honest. Most of us have had that "I could fix this faster myself" moment. Maybe it was watching someone struggle with Excel formulas, or perhaps a colleague who presented a presentation that looked like someone threw clip art at a Word document and called it modern design. The temptation to swoop in and save the day is real. But Jobs reminds us that leadership is about so much more than patching up mistakes. It’s about equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to tackle challenges themselves — even if it feels like waiting for a toddler to tie their shoes when you’re already late.
Why This Matters Today
In today’s fast-paced world, leaders are often judged by how quickly they can put out fires. Yet the most impactful leaders are the ones who cultivate growth. Taking the long view means recognizing that every misstep is an opportunity to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence within your team.
Think about it: Would you rather lead a group of people who are constantly dependent on you to solve their problems, or a self-sufficient team that thrives without constant supervision? It’s like teaching someone to fish instead of handing them a tuna melt. Jobs’ approach encourages leaders to invest in their people, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about fostering a culture of learning, not just execution.
Painful, But Worth It
Jobs was also refreshingly candid about how hard this shift in mindset can be.
“That’s painful sometimes. And I still have that first instinct to go fix the problem.” - Steve Jobs
We’ve all been there. It’s like watching someone load a dishwasher all wrong (you dang straight know who you are!) — plates facing every which way, forks stacked like a Jenga tower. But the truth is, growth is rarely painless. It’s in the struggle that real learning happens. And leaders who are willing to endure that discomfort for the sake of their team's development often see exponential returns down the road.
Applying the Jobs Mindset
So, how can you channel your inner Steve Jobs and apply this lesson in your own leadership journey? Here are a few ways:
Pause Before You Pounce: The next time you spot an error, dude, chill....take a moment. Ask yourself if this is a coaching opportunity instead of a quick-fix situation.
Invest in the Long Game: Provide constructive feedback (not criticism) and mentorship. Encourage your team members to troubleshoot and problem-solve before jumping in.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Mistakes are inevitable. Recognize growth and resilience, not just flawless results. Positive Reinforcement is VALUABLE!
Embrace the Pause: Jobs’ deliberate silence before answering wasn’t just for dramatic effect. Pausing allows for thoughtful reflection—a skill that’s invaluable in both leadership and life.
In Conclusion, Ya'll....
The next time you’re faced with the temptation to jump in and fix a problem, just think back to that 1992 moment. Just picture Jobs, pausing......thinking, and then choosing the long view. Because ultimately folks, the leaders who build the strongest teams are the ones who empower people to learn, grow, and occasionally stumble along the way.
And who knows? A decade from now, you might just look back and realize it was the best leadership choice you ever made.
So, now I'm asking you....what are your thoughts on taking the long view? Have you ever had to hold back to let someone learn a lesson? Please, share your stories in the comments — I’d love to hear how you’re applying this mindset in your own leadership journey!
Until next time,
Jim McCarty
