|
Executive Interviews: Interview with Owen Linzmayeron Government and Business
March 2010 - By Dr. Nagendra V Chowdary
Owen Linzmayer Owen Linzmayer is a respected San Francisco-based freelance writer 
While Randall E Stross (the
author of Steve Jobs & The NeXt Big
Thing)described Steve Jobs as,
‘arrogantly oblivious’, ‘unmerciful’,
and an ‘unapologetic snob’ who is
‘imprisoned…by his selected
historical memory’, others describe
him as ‘the perfectionist’, ‘who sets
expectations for quality, challenging
the status quo, and never accepts no
for an answer’, ‘too good a human
being’ and ‘unparalleled institutional
builder’, etc. Who is the real Steve
Jobs?
While Randall E Stross (the
author of Steve Jobs & The NeXt Big
Thing)described Steve Jobs as,
‘arrogantly oblivious’, ‘unmerciful’,
and an ‘unapologetic snob’ who is
‘imprisoned…by his selected
historical memory’, others describe
him as ‘the perfectionist’, ‘who sets
expectations for quality, challenging
the status quo, and never accepts no
for an answer’, ‘too good a human
being’ and ‘unparalleled institutional
builder’, etc. Who is the real Steve
Jobs? Commenting on Steve Jobs, Andy
Grove said, “There’s no other
company in technology that started
with a strong core business and
developed another very strong one.
The rest of us are lucky, or good (if
we’re) right once”. How could Steve
Jobs be right more than once? Was it his predictive abilities or iconoclastic
arrogance?
I’m not sure I agree with Andy
Grove’s premise, but Jobs has been
right more than once because he’s
been willing to roll the dice and take
chances. We all remember the
successes, but there have been plenty
of failures, too. The important thing is
that Steve has continued to swing for
the fences despite striking out more
than a few times. Steve has the cash
and charisma to pick himself up and
try again where others may not have
gotten a second chance. Many argue that he is reclusive
and secretive and end up describing
his leadership as secretive leadership
and quote examples for similar kind
of leadership from Phil Knight, Ratan
Tata, etc. Is there any such thing as a
secret leadership? What would be the
impact of such leadership on the
organization in the short run and in
the long run?
I don’t think Steve’s leadership style
is secretive, though the company is
definitely very tight- lipped when it
comes to discussing its future plans.
If anything, Steve’s style is autocratic
and intimidating. The downside to
this approach is that it relies on
Steve’s iconic stature; he can lead
through his mere presence in
Cupertino. A successor will have a
difficult time filling his shoes and
can’t expect the same sort of devotion
from employees that the Jobs
commands by virtue of being a
founder.
|
