Back to search

Portrait of an Emotional Leader: Steve Jobs, Redefining Apple

By Quy Huy,  Michael Jarrett,  Lisa Simone Duke
Published 26 Aug 2013
Reference 6010
Topic Strategy
Industry Information Technology and Services
Region North America
Length 13 page(s)
Language English
Inspection copy
6.00
Add to cart
Summary

This case allows a rich and nuanced discussion of the various leadership dimensions of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers, who was widely regarded as a visionary leader but could be harsh with people working around him. The case raises the strategic question of profit sustainability and organizational resilience. Could Apple thrive as a creative company without Jobs? Was Jobs an emotionally intelligent leader? (why/why not) Was Jobs a good leader?

Teaching objectives

This case allows a rich and nuanced discussion of the various leadership dimensions of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers, who was widely regarded as a visionary leader but could be harsh with people working around him. The case raises the strategic question of profit sustainability and organizational resilience. Could Apple thrive as a creative company without Jobs? Was Jobs an emotionally intelligent leader? (why/why not) Was Jobs a good leader? The case enables students to evaluate his leadership competence by using different theories of leadership.

Keywords
  • Q41213
  • leadership
  • emotional intelligence
  • emotion
  • strategy
  • general management
  • technology
  • social media
  • computer
About the authors
Huy

Quy Huy

Professor of Strategy
Jarrett

Michael Jarrett

Professor of Management Practice in Organisational Behaviour
Duke

Lisa Simone Duke


Recommended Cases

How IKEA’s Strategy Was Formed

By  Quy Huy,  Michael Jarrett,  Lisa Simone Duke
Add to cart popular
This case describes how IKEA's distinctive strategy was formed over a period of about 30 years (late 1940s to late 1970s).
    View case

    Eight Inc. and Apple Retail Stores

    By  Anne-Marie Carrick,  Manuel Sosa
    Add to cart popular
    On 15 May 2001, the first Apple retail store was opened to the public at Tysons Corner, Virginia, and the same day a second store was opened in Glendale, California. With retail branded experiences virtually unknown in the industry at the time, the decision to launch the Apple retail programme was greeted with scepticism.
      View case

      Haidilao: Creating and Sustaining an Emotional Culture for High Performance

      By  Quy Huy,  Lisa Simone Duke
      Add to cart
      The case charts the success of Chinese hot pot restaurant chain, Haidilao, from humble beginnings to international expansion, with a focus on how an emotion-based culture is created and sustained to deliver high performance. Chinese hot pot – a blend of meat and vegetables - is boiled by customers in a broth and eaten with a variety of sauces.
        View case