What Can Be Learned from Steve Jobs' Resignation?

I converted about five years ago.

It wasn’t a sudden moment of revelation, but rather a slow realization that there was something better out there, gleaming like glassy chrome, beckoning me with its seductive sheen. My conversion cost me a few friends along the way, but their loss was inconsequential to what I gained—no more blue screens of death.

I was raised in a PC world. I converted to Macintology as an adult. I’m not going back. I have the turtle-necked man in black to thank for that.

Steve Jobs is flaunted as one of the most influential business leaders of our time and with good reason. As Walt Mossberg’s post Jobs’ Departure as CEO of Apple is the End of an Extraordinary Era attests, Jobs didn’t just alter the landscape of a multitude of industries, he went apocalyptic, annihilating the competition in computers, music, movies (Pixar), publishing, and cell phones. That may be overstating things, but his effect on these industries cannot be denied. (Apple sycophants tend toward hyperbole. Guilty as charged).

Much has been written about Steve Jobs’ business acumen, but with his resignation, I wonder, are there lessons leaders can learn from his leaving? 

1. There are no guarantees. Jobs’ resignation is a sobering reminder of his reported frail health, with flippant Twitterers (a.k.a. Flipperers) already writing him off as riding into the sunset. While I hope for his health to return, God tells us that our days are numbered ([youversion]Psalm 139:16[/youversion]).

If you’re a church leader or business leader who is instrumental to your organization and you don’t have a contingency plan for your organization should you succumb to an unforeseen event, I recommend working on that document today.

2. Savor your successes and forget your failures. Have you heard of the Apple Lisa? It was one of Apple’s first commercial failures, a computer ahead of its time, but priced too high. Have you heard of the Apple iPhone? It’s been one of Apple’s colossal commercial hits, a phone ahead of its time, and only priced too high because of AT&T or Verizon data plans. Which product do you think Jobs talks about more?

Likewise, learn from your failures, but forget them quickly. There is better work for you to do ahead, whether that’s tomorrow, next month, or five years from now. And when that work results in a resounding success, revel in it for a time as reward for a job well done.

3. Be the leader that one day may lead your team. In other words, model the leadership qualities that you’re looking for in a successor. Additionally, take the time to teach that person what you’ve learned along the way, both the good and the bad. The sure sign of a dedicated disciple is a passion for their misson, a dedication to their team, and a strong relationship with a rabbi—a teacher. Remember that Tim Cook, Jobs’ successor as CEO of Apple, has been running the day-to-day business since January, when Jobs took a medical leave of absence. CNET quotes Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst:

“We believe Tim Cook will carry out a long-term (5-year) road map that he and Jobs jointly established, including several iterations of Apple’s existing products as well as new categories, like an Apple Television as soon as late 2012.” (emphasis mine)

If you have yet to do so, find that person on your team who may one day lead your organization and teach them what you know.

4. Know your limitations. With any type of leadership position, the tendency toward pride is great. Genuine humility in a confident leader is a rare find, simply because these virtues are often antithetical. However, as a leader you have to know when you’re pressing too hard, working too much, or over-reaching your abilities. It takes humility to know when to step down, step aside, or allow others to be your momentary crutch.

Leaders often want to hide their weariness, often at the expense of their health, their spiritual life, their family, and their organization. In these situations, God may even allow circumstances to occur that force you to slow down, whether you want to or not (See point #1). Humble leaders accept help when help is necessary.

5. Oh, and one more thing… Don’t allow your identity to become wholly wrapped up in your organization, or vice versa. Apple’s stock fell after Jobs’ resignation, a sign that some people believe the company won’t be the same without his daily leadership. This may or may not hold true. But, if you allow your company or your church to become too much about you, then when you leave, move, fall ill, die, or are otherwise incapable of completing your job, your company or church will likely also leave, move, fall ill, or die.

To flip the script, if your identity becomes so enmeshed with who you are at work (at the expense of who you are at home, or with your friends, or, most importantly, with God), and your work abruptly ends, you’ll feel as if you’ve lost all meaning. Keep your identity centered where it’s supposed to be—in Jesus—and you’ll be able to say “Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Here’s to praying that things go well for Mr. Jobs.