CEO and Founder of Apple Inc.

 Background: 
  • Steven Paul “Steve” Jobs was an American entrepreneur and inventor, more commonly known as the founder, chairman, CEO and father of Apple Inc. Despite being a college dropout, he went on to create, inspire and inspire revolutionary companies like Apple and Pixar Animation Studios. 
  • With his perfectionistic yet innovative mind, he catapulted his companies to new heights, making them the top brands in every consumer’s mind. With his enduring efforts, he has been referred to as “legendary”, a “futurist” and has been described as the “Father of the Digital Revolution”, a “Master of Innovation” and the “Master Evangelist of the Digital Age”.
  • Despite his passing, he and his products have allowed not only the world to advance technological but also created a stepping stone for leaders and entrepreneur to create a better future. 
Achievements:
  •  Founded Apple Inc., NeXT and Pixar Animation Studios
  • In 2009, Jobs was named the CEO of the decade by Fortune magazine
  • In November 2010, Jobs was ranked No.17 on Forbes: The World’s Most Powerful People.
  • In December 2010, the Financial Times named Jobs its person of the year 2010.
  • In March 2012, Fortune named Steve Jobs the “greatest entrepreneur of our time”
Leadership Style:

1. Authoritarian

 Ever since Steve Jobs was of a young age, he always wanted to be in control of things. With this enduring characteristic, it was how he ran Apple Inc., making him an authoritarian leader. Moreover, him being a perfectionist and concern over the slightest detail, he made so that every single detail of the product from the design, color to even the back where nobody actually sees has to be perfect

2. Transformational

 Steve Jobs was considered also to be a transformational leader as he redirected his employees’ thinking, challenged and inspired them with a sense of purpose and excitement. During his time as CEO of Apple Inc., he not only transformed the whole company’s thinking and direction but he also constantly challenged his employees to think creatively and encouraged them to come out with revolutionary products that would change the world.

3. Inspirational

It is said that inspirational leaders are one that transform, contribute and inspire a company but by the heavy paycheck but simply because of his or her inner drive to help the company. Steve Jobs was an inspirational leader simply because of his endless and revolutionary contributions to Apple Inc. despite only being paid $1 annually. 

Top 3 Leadership Traits:

1. Passion

‘Passion’ is often referred to the spark in a person that guides a person to the ends of earth; take on new and dangerous challenges to get what he or she wants. This is something that Steve Jobs always and constantly have in him that drives him to create better, more innovative and revolutionary products for the masses. Without his passion, the world would then be short-of groundbreaking products and the technological advancement it has today.

 Applying it into today’s hospitality industry, having the passion to do something or in particular, having the passion to serve is essential and crucial for all hotel employees. Having this passion, employees would go the extra mile, end work later and putting their hundred and one percent effort in serving the guests. Thereby, not only benefiting the hotels but also an individual’s quest for achievement.

2. Vision

Having the vision means to stand for something or fall for everything. It is crucial for every leader to have the vision so as to seek continuous improvement and bring the company to new heights. Steve Jobs, for example, is one person who has a strong vision for his company, Apple Inc. It was his vision that enabled Apple to differentiate itself from its competitors and making it one of the top brands in the world.

 With application into the hospitality industry, it is vital that leaders and CEOs of any hotel must have a vision for their establishments. Having the vision would prove to be beneficial for the organization as it would then seek for continuous improvement, implement the right culture and thrive for certain excellence. Moreover, it is vital for leaders to instill their vision to the employees so as to inspire and motivate them to share the same visions allowing a better cooperation for a better tomorrow.

3. Character

Without the character of its leader, it may render a company to lose its direction, drive and motivation for excellence. In Steve Job’s case, without his character of being a perfectionist and having a niche for the slightest details, we will not have the brilliance and elegant Apple products we have today. Moreover it was his obsessive character that kept his employees in check and made sure that they are in sync with his vision and the products he wanted to create.

In today’s hospitality industry, leaders must hone on their character to provide and bring out the best in their employees to better contribute to the organizations. Although, different leaders have different characters, distinctive organizations require different characteristics of their leader in bringing the company to new heights, new innovation or thriving excellence.