Steve Jobs wasn’t just a tech guy—he was THE guy. The dude turned Apple into a global powerhouse, made people care about MP3 players (RIP Zune), and somehow convinced us that dropping $1,000 on a phone every year is totally normal. But beyond all the flashy product launches and turtlenecks, Jobs had a secret sauce: he knew how to get people to perform at their absolute best.
So, how did he do it? Let’s break it down, Hormozi-style:
1. The Guy Had Ridiculously High Standards (and Didn’t Apologize for It)
Jobs didn’t do “good enough.” If your work wasn’t top-tier, he’d let you know—loudly. He pushed his teams to aim for perfection, not because he was a control freak (well, maybe a little), but because he believed that excellence is a habit. And guess what? It worked.
💡 Takeaway: Set the bar so high it makes people uncomfortable—then show them they can reach it.
2. Passion Wasn’t Optional, It Was the Whole Game
Ever meet those people who just clock in, do the bare minimum, and bounce? Yeah, Jobs had zero patience for that. He believed that if you weren’t obsessed with what you were doing, you were in the wrong place. Passion fueled Apple’s insane work culture and made sure every product had that “wow” factor.
💡 Takeaway: If you’re not fired up about what you’re doing, you’re wasting your time—and everyone else’s. Find your passion, or find the exit.
3. Storytelling That Sold More Than Just Products
Jobs didn’t just sell iPhones—he sold dreams. Every product keynote felt like watching a magician at work. He had a way of making tech feel like it mattered, like it was part of a bigger story. Whether it was the “Think Different” campaign or his famous Stanford speech, he knew how to make people feel something.
💡 Takeaway: If you can’t explain your vision in a way that makes people want to be part of it, you’re doing it wrong. Sell the dream, not just the product.
4. Recognition = Motivation (But Only If You Earn It)
Jobs may have been tough, but he also knew when to dish out praise—when it was deserved. He didn’t hand out participation trophies; instead, he rewarded excellence with promotions, bonuses, and public recognition. When people earned it, they felt valued.
💡 Takeaway: Want to motivate people? Give credit where it’s due—but don’t hand it out like candy. Make it meaningful.
5. He Lived and Breathed His Own Advice
Look, it’s one thing to talk a big game about hustle and excellence, but Jobs walked the talk. The guy put in the work, obsessed over every tiny detail (even down to the shade of white in an Apple Store), and made sure his team saw him grinding just as hard—if not harder—than they were.
💡 Takeaway: If you’re leading a team (or just leading yourself), your actions set the tone. People follow people who do, not just those who talk.
What You Can Steal from Jobs’ Playbook
At the end of the day, Jobs’ approach wasn’t for the faint of heart. He demanded the best, gave people a purpose, told a killer story, and led by example. If you want to build something great—whether it’s a business, a career, or just a better version of yourself—take a page from his book.
🏆 Set high standards.
🔥 Find your passion.
🎤 Tell a better story.
👏 Reward excellence.
🚀 Lead by example.
Now, get out there and crush it. And hey—Think Different.
