Leadership - Steve Jobs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leadership - Steve Jobs - Essay Example They also possess intelligence and charisma, which enables them to navigate the difficult operational environments (Kurian 2012 p. 2). The sole purpose of a leader is to provide leadership, direction and dependence. The leader should also have the capabilities to encourage and stimulate people. Different qualities distinguish leaders from other people. There is an early recognition of leaders and their importance in society. According to the trait theory, the early assumptions and recognitions of leadership were based on personal characteristics known as individual attributes. Alternative theories of leadership introduced different strategies for approaching leadership (Kurian 2012 p. 2). These had their basis on the notions of the driving force of leadership. These theories showed that an individual who excelled in one leadership position might not shine, in other leadership positions. These theories led to the realization that leadership cannot be characterized as enduring individu al traits. This means that people may posit, in certain situations (Kurian 2012 p. 3). However, the trait theory is a crucial leadership theory that helps, in the comprehension of people’s capabilities in different situations that require leadership. This is because individual traits such as adjustment, astuteness, extraversion, carefulness, self-efficacy and directness to different experiences support an individual, in different situations. Steve Jobs Leadership Approach Steve Jobs can be characterized as an unconventional leader. His leadership styles and approaches were successful, in his environment. Steve Jobs’ leadership and management styles and approaches were not based on textbook materials (Kurian 2012 p. 3). For instance, he was not keen on consensus building approaches or consultations. He exhibited the characteristics of a high maintenance co-worker who demanded excellence and consistency from his staff. He used criticism as a tool for leadership and insti lling discipline among his workers (Kurian 2012 p. 6). His abilities to articulate his vision and motivate his staff towards the achievement of his ideas endeared him to his staff and business society. He also combined this ability with his sheer genius to articulate his vision. These were crucial in pulling his customers to purchase his products. A turning point in his career was the lessons learnt, in his career setbacks. This created the elements of visionary leader that were a characteristic of his ideas and innovations. His relations to his firm, Apple, have often been described as visionary. Decision-making and strategizing were crucial approaches used by Steve Jobs in his marketing and management approaches (Kurian 8). The trait theory is a prominent theory with the case of Steve Jobs. For instance, Steve Jobs was a stickler to discipline and excellence. Other people such as his former CEO found it difficult to work with him, in the same environment. In 1985, John Sculley, hi s former CEO stripped Jobs off his responsibilities and powers at the firm (Kurian 9). He also had the characteristics of taking new challenges and transforming previously underperforming firms into multinationals. For instance, he bought Pixar and changed it to a global animation company. According to Walter Isaacson, the theory of transformational leadership applies to the case of Steve