Solving Problems

For the past couple weeks I have been listening to the audio book version of Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson.  I am really enjoying it and have learned many great lessons.  I am at the point in the book where Apple is asking Jobs to return to their company as CEO and help them turn things around.  Since his exit many years earlier, Apple failed to develop any new and innovative ideas that the consumer wanted, thus making them relatively unsuccessful.  There were many problems within the company and the people at Apple slowly came to the conclusion that the only thing that could fix the mess they were in was Steve Jobs.

When we started talking about problems during our lessons in class and how to solve them, I immediately thought of this book.  First Jobs recognized the source of the problem then took the steps he deemed necessary to develop a solution and ultimately be successful.  The following are the steps that Jobs took to put Apple back on track and transform them into the profitable company they are today:

Step One: Identify the source of the problem.

In one of the first meetings he held after he began assisting Apple again he asked the people what was wrong with the company.  When no one responded correctly Jobs answered by shouting, "The products!"  Next Jobs asked, "And what's wrong with the products?"  Again no one gave a correct answer.  When Jobs answered for them, he said bluntly, "They suck!"

Even though at times it may be difficult, admitting to oneself and others of the problems and challenges faced is the first step.  Once this is learned, a solution can begin to be developed.

Step Two:  Surround yourself with the right people.

When Jobs returns to Apple one of the first things he does is fire numerous current employees.  He needed to be surrounded by people he trusted to produce successful products and ideas.  With the right team in place Jobs could accomplish the things he needed to, so Apple could be successful again.  (This is as far as I got in the book...)

Keeping these lessons from Steve Jobs in mind, I realized some important information necessary for creativity and solving problems.  Identifying the problem and surrounding myself with positive people may be the keys to success.

Between class discussion and listening to Steve Jobs, my creativity has been increased this past week.  In class I learned to break down my problems for easier ways to solve them.  From the book I learned valuable lessons about how to break down the issues that I face from day to day that may hinder my creativity.