Have you ever wondered what goes through a leader's mind when their company is on the verge of collapse? Or how do they keep their cool when everything seems to be falling apart? Mental toughness expert and LinkedIn Learning trainer Scott Mautz is clear: The ability to regulate emotions and thoughts in the most complicated moments is what makes the difference. to great leaders. And Apple has two perfect examples: Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
Although the two CEOs' leadership styles are as different as day and night, they share one crucial characteristic: mental toughness in the darkest of times. And no, We are not talking about simple optimism. As Professor Robert Sutton of Stanford University explains: “True mental strength in leadership lies not in ignoring problems, but in confronting them with brutal clarity while maintaining an unwavering faith in ultimate success.” . »
There is no perfect path
The Japanese “wabi-sabi” teaches us to appreciate the beauty of imperfection, and Jobs and Cook understood this perfectly. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, The company was losing a billion dollars a year.. Instead of looking for the perfect solution, it accepted the imperfection of the process: it eliminated 70% of Apple products, a decision that many considered a mistake. As Scott Mautz explains, Getting stuck in “what could have been” only creates a negative cycle.. Tim Cook applied this same philosophy when he decided to remove the headphone port from the iPhone: he knew there would be no “perfect” time to do it. And yet he did it.
It's not what I lost, it's what I still have
Harvard University has shown that showing gratitude is directly linked to greater happiness and less stress. Steve Jobs demonstrated this mentality when he was fired from Apple in 1985. Instead of falling into despair, he focused on what he had.: your knowledge. He then founded NeXT and bought Pixar. “Being fired from Apple was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he admitted years later.
Adversity creates no consequences
This phrase, inspired by the ABC model of cognitive behavioral therapy, was crucial during the iPhone 4 “antennagate”. Steve Jobs did not view the controversy as a death sentence, but as a death sentence. an opportunity to improve Apple's transparency. As Scott Mautz comments, “Adversity does not automatically lead to negative outcomes.” Tim Cook applied this mentality when reviewing Apple Vision Pro sales: negative reactions will not determine the fate of the product.
let it be so
Acceptance does not mean ignoring problems, but recognizing them without being paralyzed by them. When Tim Cook took over as CEO, comparisons to Steve Jobs were constant. Instead of imitating and continually thinking “what Steve would do”, he bet on himself and “He left Apple alone” according to his philosophy. Further, Jobs took a similar approach when he admitted that the iPad could cannibalize Mac sales: he let it happen without worrying about the collateral damage.
Overview, baby steps
This concept, fundamental in the psychology of success, is the basis of Apple's greatest innovations. Steve Jobs had a revolutionary vision for the iPhone, but he developed it step by step: first iPod, then iPod with touch wheel, then iPhone. As Scott Mautz explains, this phrase helps us keep perspective on the end goal while identifying small actions to move forward. Tim Cook applied this strategy with Apple Intelligence: first advances in artificial intelligence with Face IDthe Photos app, the camera… until we got to what we have today.
What's fascinating is that these sentences, supported by psychology and ndollarscience, are not just a simple theory. Steve Jobs and Tim Cook made them principles that transformed a company from the brink of bankruptcy into one of the most valuable companies in the world. And if, Right now, you may be thinking about how to apply some of these lessons. in your own life or business. So grab a pencil and paper and start working with these five concepts.
Sources | Linkedin, Harvard University and Healthline
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