From Smart to Wise: Acting and Leading with Wisdom

One Journey to Wise Leadership: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was a smart leader who created his own wisdom logic through trial and error. He discovered his noble purpose—to “put a dent in the universe”—early in life, but he limited himself to applying that purpose to Apple and his own family rather than the greater good of society. He had a somewhat rigid perspective and didn’t often value—or even tolerate well—the views of others. His role clarity—his understanding of his role in the world—seems to have improved as he went along: he picked the right people for the right roles. Many of his decisions were deeply intuitive, though they seemed counterintuitive to everyone else, like opening Apple retail stores. And he knew when to lead (as when he stuck ...