Steve Jobs was a genius. Plain and simple. Yes, there are criticisms about the way he managed and led his life. He used rather controversial ways to determine his life’s direction (I wouldn’t recommend the use of acid when developing your mission or vision). He could be brutal when criticizing his employees’ work. He was not always honest with his business partners. However, while he definitely was not a candidate i for “Manager of the Year”, he was brilliant.
I read the biography written by Steve Jobs, and recently watched the movie based on that book, “Jobs”. From these two accounts of Steve Jobs’ life, one thing stood out to me. Steve Jobs saw the big picture. He was even somewhat of a “seer”, anticipating the need for the iPad years before the public ever recognized that need. He had the innate ability to acknowledge and act o his customers’ needs and desires, sometimes even before they knew they had those needs and desires.
How did he do that? I believe that the walls of Steve Jobs’ offices and life were fuzzy. His vision went beyond today’s to do list, or pleasing his board of directors (which really didn’t sit well with them). Instead, he was always looking at the next idea and the big picture. He was always expanding his horizons.
How can we as leaders emulate Steve Jobs open-mindedness? How can we expand our horizons? I have a few tips to help you look out instead of in:
Look out the window – If you are in a cubicle, find the window, or walk outside. In the movie “Jobs”, Steve and his friends were tripping on acid out in a meadow. They were laying under a tree, and, Steve, who was characteristically restless, got up and walked out into the meadow. The sun was shining and glistened off the cattails and grasses in the meadow. Standing in that meadow, Steve soaks in the sun and envisions his future.
Again, I am not recommending the use of illicit drugs to expand your horizons, but you can walk outside. Or, you can look out the window. Take in the surroundings. Close your eyes and breathe. Make note of at least one or two things that you haven’t seen before. If you do this exercise with the intent of noticing the beauty and enormity of the world around you, I can promise that your eyes will be open to new possibilities.
Read biographical novels – I gained an incredible amount of respect for Steve Jobs by reading his autobiography. You can gain insight into successful management methods (or learn from the ones that were not so successful) by reading the autobiographies of successful, famous people. Imagine what you can learn about tactical management from reading George C Patton’s or Dwight D Eisenhower’s biographies. Imagine the insight that you can gain about running a company by reading biographies on Jack Welch or Bill Gates. Whether you learn how to do things right, or how to make huge mistakes, your knowledge grows by reading biographical material.
Network and benchmark – Talk to other organization leaders. Go to conferences. Take advantage of opportunities to participate in benchmarking or facility tours. Participate in networking events and association meetings. Not only does this activity get you out of your office or cubicle, you gain knowledge and expertise by interacting with others. Seeing and hearing firsthand about the successes (and mistakes) of others helps you manage and lead better or avoid making those same mistakes when you manage and lead.
I believe that looking out is as important (or more so) than looking around your office. Imagine what Apple had been if Steve Jobs had settled for the advice of the people in his office and on his board and not expanded his horizons by traveling to India. While there is value in listening to your co-workers and board members, balancing that effort with seeing the big picture will help you become the most effective leader you can be.
Question: What have you done lately to expand your horizons? How did it help you?