Apple's Jony Ive on the Lessons He Learned From Steve Jobs | Vanity Fair

Summary

In this reflection, the speaker shares life lessons learned from working with Steve, emphasizing the importance of focus, discipline, and self-awareness. Steve’s remarkable ability to stay laser-focused on the task at hand is highlighted, with a powerful message about the sacrifices required to maintain that focus. The speaker also shares a moment of personal realization when Steve harshly critiqued their work, revealing a deeper insight into vanity and the desire to be liked, challenging the speaker to prioritize the work over personal perception.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus is not just a goal; it's a continuous practice requiring constant commitment and discipline.
• 😀 Achieving great results is often linked to the ability to focus on one thing and say no to other distractions.
• 😀 True focus means turning down opportunities that may seem fantastic but are not aligned with your ultimate priorities.
• 😀 It's important to be clear about your priorities and not give in to the temptation of overextending yourself.
• 😀 Criticism, even if harsh, can be invaluable when it challenges your ego and makes you focus on the quality of the work, not your own image.
• 😀 Caring more about the work than how others perceive you is essential for personal and professional growth.
• 😀 Many people struggle with saying no, which leads to diminished focus and scattered efforts.
• 😀 Being overly concerned with others' opinions may hinder your ability to make tough, necessary decisions for success.
• 😀 Understanding and accepting harsh critique, even if it stings, is key to improving and refining your work.
• 😀 Personal vanity can cloud judgment, making it harder to prioritize the quality of the work over how you're perceived.

Q & A

What is the first life lesson the speaker learned from working with Steve?

The first lesson is the importance of focus. Steve was described as the most focused person the speaker had ever met. Focus is not just a decision made once, but a constant commitment to stay focused on the task at hand by saying no to distractions, even when they seem like great opportunities.

How does the speaker describe the concept of focus in the context of their work?

The speaker emphasizes that focus requires constant effort and commitment. It’s not just about deciding to focus at the beginning of the week, but continuously asking, 'Why are we talking about this?' and 'Is this the right thing to be working on?' Focus is about aligning all efforts toward one goal and avoiding distractions.

What does Steve’s comment, 'How many things have you said no to?' reveal about his perspective on focus?

Steve’s question highlights the idea that true focus involves making sacrifices. He suggests that saying no is crucial to maintaining focus, and it’s important to reflect on what you’ve chosen to prioritize. Saying no to opportunities, even those that seem promising, is necessary for staying true to your main goal.

What does the speaker learn about the nature of sacrifice in focus?

The speaker learns that sacrifice in the context of focus is not just about avoiding things that are unimportant. It’s about saying no to things that seem exciting or compelling but do not align with the primary focus or goal. This level of prioritization is what makes focus effective.

How does Steve challenge the speaker's view on critique and feedback?

Steve challenges the speaker by calling attention to their desire for approval. When the speaker expresses concern about being too harsh in feedback, Steve points out that the speaker’s need for others to like them is a form of vanity. He suggests that true dedication to the work means prioritizing its quality over how one is perceived.

What lesson does the speaker learn from Steve’s critique about their own vanity?

The speaker learns that a focus on personal approval can be detrimental to the work. Steve points out that the speaker’s sensitivity to how they are perceived by others reflects vanity, and true dedication to the work should involve putting the work first, regardless of personal feelings.

What does Steve’s brutally honest approach to critique reveal about his values?

Steve’s brutally honest approach to critique reveals that he values the quality of the work above all else. He prioritizes the truth of the work’s merits and shortcomings, even if it means delivering feedback that could be perceived as harsh. For him, honesty is more important than protecting someone’s feelings.

How does Steve’s focus on work over personal perception influence the speaker’s perspective on leadership?

Steve’s focus on prioritizing the work over personal feelings influences the speaker to view leadership as being about the work and not about personal approval. It helps the speaker realize that leadership and critique should be about helping the team create the best possible outcome, even if it involves uncomfortable or difficult conversations.

In what way does Steve’s critique shape the speaker’s approach to giving feedback?

Steve’s critique shapes the speaker’s approach by highlighting the importance of honesty over diplomacy. The speaker learns that giving constructive feedback should not be about softening the truth to avoid discomfort, but about helping others see what is needed to improve the work.

What does the speaker ultimately realize about their own behavior after the conversation with Steve?

The speaker realizes that they were overly concerned with how others perceived them, which was rooted in vanity. They come to understand that in order to be truly dedicated to their work, they must prioritize the work itself and be willing to accept harsh feedback and make tough decisions, even if it means personal discomfort.