Many colleagues describe Jobs as a brilliant man who can be a great motivater and positively charming. At the same time his drive for perfection is so strong that employees who do not meet his demands are faced with blistering verbal attacks that can eventually burn out even the most motivated of people.
Last post on Jobs, we talked about his reputation for being one of "America's roughest, toughest, most intimidating bosses."
During the time Jobs has run Apple (AAPL) there have been times his demands were so great that no one could meet them in the timeframe alloted. He would also let them know what he thought in front of anybody that happened to be there at the time; in many cases humiliating them. A large number have quit throughout the years for this reason.
Jobs may be one of the greatest motivators in the business world, while also one of the most intimidating leaders. One of the reasons some people continue to put up with it is the motivating factor to them is greater than the downside.
The thing I want to talk about in relationship to this is the burnout factor.
In the case of Jobs, he evidently deosn't care one way or the other. That may even be a strength, but one that is costly. Possibly experience has taught him that people will continually come to Apple based on his reputation in the motivation and creativity area, in spite of the other negative attributes associated with him.
Some may even want the experience and sign on for the duration of creating one of the cool products that make a big impact in the market. After that, many probably leave.
The motivating, creative, innovative side of Jobs is legendary and real, the other side is as well. It seems he's willing to trade off workers over periods of time in order to keep the creative and innovative side of the business pure (in his eyes).
As long as he understands that's the tradeoff, and is aware of it in his plans and operations, he seems to do ok with it. We must consider that also in how we interact with our people.
Jobs shows that a business can be successful when run in the way he does it. The key to success is the extraordinary products and reputation that comes along with being an Apple employee.
While I think this could happen with other styles of management (because it has), it seems Jobs isn't able to help himself, and makes up for his personal shortcomings with the greatness of his ability to instill vision within his people. That, more than anything, has made Apple and Jobs what they are.
Other Steve Jobs Resources:
You've got to find what you love
Steve Jobs, Business Personality
Steve Jobs' Greatest Presentation
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