Employees despised the prospect of riding in an elevator with Steve Jobs. As soon as the doors were shut, he would begin grilling them about their projects, and they knew they would better have a good one. Several of these encounters have developed a legendarium status. Most famously, an unknown woman who, according to Ed Niehaus, accidentally entered an elevator with Jobs and heard the words "We are not going to need you" a few levels later. 

These types of anecdotes have helped shape the image of Steve Jobs that many business leaders have, but are they accurate? Are they reasonable?

Ed Catmull, Pixar's President, collaborated with Steve Jobs for twenty-five years – longer than anyone else — beginning in 1985, when Jobs was ousted from Apple. Catmull asserts that the Steve Jobs he knew was not the emotionally aggressive dictator who dismissed people on the spot in elevators. Instead, jobs had evolved into a different guy throughout his career. As a result, he lacked the scary personality portrayed in biographies and Hollywood films.

Steve Jobs grew due to his experiences and adopted a new leadership style.

Unfortunately, many CEOs, particularly those in technology, cite those Steve Jobs biographies and declare, "Ah, I am on the right track." I, too, am an aggressive asshole. If it were adequate for him, it would be effective for me."

I can identify. To flourish as a leader, I had to overcome my urge always to be correct.

The leaders of companies develop the ability to tell a good tale. Attract investors/voters/talent by exuding positivity and putting a positive spin on events. However, some CEOs fall for their hype about how the only thing that matters is the quarterly profits report or the next significant investment. So when they commit a minor act of wrongdoing, they convince themselves that they can make up for it with superior performance or by ending it before anyone notices. The issue is that the impulse persists. They crave the same flash of pleasure once more. And once they let go of self-control, it becomes easier to repeat the feat the next time. Click here to work with us.

About Jim Woods

Overview

Jim Woods is the President and CEO of Woods Kovalova Group's Denver, London, and Kyiv offices and head of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice. He works exclusively in the banking sector with senior executives and leadership teams to create a significant and sustainable impact in DE&I to create the kind of inclusive environment that allows companies to attract, retain, and get the best out of their employees and serve their communities. Better.

Experience

Jim has more than two decades of experience driving change in the banking industry around performance, growth, and innovation. He's designed and led complex transformation initiatives in companies linked to globalization, demographic changes, sustainability, shifting business models, and new technologies.

Earlier in his career, Jim served in the United States Navy, taught fifth-grade math and science, including university human resources and leadership. Also, Jim has taught at Villanova University. He has authored six business books on DE&I, and leadership.

Education

Capella University, MS in Organizational Development and Human Resources