What Steve Jobs was like as a boss, according to technology entrepreneur Andreessen
Steve Jobs was controversial, inflexible and meticulous. These three words might describe him. But it was precisely in these characteristics that his leadership specialty was hidden. Apple co-founder Jobs has been called 'one of the most controversial people in human history' by renowned technology entrepreneur and investor Marc Andreessen.
Recently, Andreessen shared his experiences and observations about Steve Jobs on his investment firm Andreessen Horowitz's podcast 'A16Z'. He said, 'Jobs would argue even about the size of the glass on the table in front of you. There was nothing he would agree with without question. He would question and challenge everything. That was the foundation of his creativity.' According to Andreessen, Jobs never blindly accepted anything conventional. He said, "The status quo or conventional thinking was not acceptable to him. He always thought of something new, he wanted to shake up the established system." However, Andreessen does not see the nature of controversy or arguing as negative. According to him, this is where Jobs' exceptional leadership qualities were born.
In the podcast, Marc Andreessen also talks about the public opinion and conventional discussions surrounding Steve Jobs. According to him, most of the writings and statements about Jobs are located at two poles. Some people present him as an absolutely great character, while many show him as a 'tough angry boss' who would shout at employees in meetings or suddenly lay off someone.
Andreessen said, "The reality was in between these two images. If Steve Jobs understood that you were completely prepared for your work, knew all the details, and that you had taken yourself to the best level professionally, then he would be the best manager of your life. Working under his leadership was a very inspiring experience.’ In Andreessen’s words, Jobs did not compromise on efficiency and excellence. To survive in his organization, everyone had to show the highest quality work. He believed that the best people want to be next to the best people. And through this, a team is built, which constantly competes to give their best.
According to Andreessen, Jobs’s ‘high-quality’ work philosophy has established him not only as a successful entrepreneur, but also as an exceptional manager. Most of the people who worked with him believe that they did the best work of their careers around him.
