When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

IMO it is essential for Jobs to do that in order to demand high quality and perfection. It is better to say things like that in the face of people rather than to smoothen the communication and then let them go or move them to different projects without explaining why. I would absolutely do the same thing in his shoes. It is the fastest possible way to get the message across. Now, this may be unpleasant and he may indeed show some lack of balance of temper but it may very well be on purpose. This is of course speculation on my part since I haven't met the guy and I have not worked for Apple.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#5

Post by TomOfTTB » Mon, May 09, 2011, 2:50 PM UTC

When I read what Jobs' is reported to have said my first thought was the song Stan by Eminem. I don't know why but the tone just struck me a very similar.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#6

Post by city41 » Mon, May 09, 2011, 3:06 PM UTC

pequ wrote: post #4

IMO it is essential for Jobs to do that in order to demand high quality and perfection. It is better to say things like that in the face of people rather than to smoothen the communication and then let them go or move them to different projects without explaining why. I would absolutely do the same thing in his shoes. It is the fastest possible way to get the message across. Now, this may be unpleasant and he may ind…

It's certainly hard to deny Apple has done better with him at the wheel. So clearly his style -- whatever it actually is -- works.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#7

Post by daimyoyo » Mon, May 09, 2011, 4:41 PM UTC

That's been Steve's managerial style since he started Apple. I'm worried that once he is no longer able to come back(I think the current medical leave is temporary) that Apple will become a "good enough" company. People tolerate Steve berating them because of his charisma and I am not sure that Tim Cook will be able to get away with what Steve can.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#8

Post by r00fus » Mon, May 09, 2011, 6:36 PM UTC

pequ wrote: post #4

IMO it is essential for Jobs to do that in order to demand high quality and perfection. It is better to say things like that in the face of people rather than to smoothen the communication and then let them go or move them to different projects without explaining why. I would absolutely do the same thing in his shoes. It is the fastest possible way to get the message across. Now, this may be unpleasant and he may ind…

I would agree but lots of Steve-wannabe CEOs adopt the cargo cult and think that being belligerent is key to getting stuff done.

This is exactly not the case. Steve gets away with it because he's maniacally focused on improving Apple.

It's not that he gets annoyed and spouts expletives, but WHY he does it, and FOR WHAT REASON.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#9

Post by jamesbritt » Wed, May 11, 2011, 8:48 PM UTC

daimyoyo wrote: post #7

That's been Steve's managerial style since he started Apple. I'm worried that once he is no longer able to come back(I think the current medical leave is temporary) that Apple will become a "good enough" company. People tolerate Steve berating them because of his charisma and I am not sure that Tim Cook will be able to get away with what Steve can.

People tolerate Steve berating them because of his charisma

Or fear, or something, but the charismatic people I've come to know don't berate people. They don't have to.

Re: When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy

#10

Post by pequ » Wed, May 11, 2011, 9:11 PM UTC

r00fus wrote: post #8

pequ wrote: post #4

IMO it is essential for Jobs to do that in order to demand high quality and perfection. It is better to say things like that in the face of people rather than to smoothen the communication and then let them go or move them to different projects without explaining why. I would absolutely do the same thing in his shoes. It is the fastest possible way to get the message across. Now, this may be unpleasant and he may ind…

I would agree but lots of Steve-wannabe CEOs adopt the cargo cult and think that being belligerent is key to getting stuff done. This is exactly not the case. Steve gets away with it because he's maniacally focused on improving Apple. It's not that he gets annoyed and spouts expletives, but WHY he does it, and FOR WHAT REASON.

Maniacal focus is assumed here. We're not even discussing doing things casually.