To meet the aggressive 100% clean and renewable energy, the grid needs innovative energy leaders who are built differently than leaders who managed the grid for the last 100+ years (think how AI is revolutionizing every industry). I asked Google Bard for Steve Jobs’ top leadership tips (I bolded a few keywords below) and then asked for Steve’s top quotes and added a few points next to each top quote. Many organizations focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and highlight all the existing gaps, blind spots, and weaknesses that must be addressed. I like to view DEI from a different lens --- as an empowerment tool to strengthen our leaders:
· Have a clear vision and communicate it effectively. Jobs was known for his ability to articulate a clear vision for his company and its products. He was able to rally his employees around this vision and inspire them to work together to achieve it.
· Hire the best people and give them the freedom to do their jobs. Jobs believed that the best way to build a successful company was to hire the best people and give them the freedom to do their jobs. He was not a micromanager and he trusted his employees to make the right decisions.
· Create a culture of innovation and risk-taking. Jobs was always looking for new ways to innovate and improve his products. He was not afraid to take risks and he encouraged his employees to do the same.
· Focus on the user experience. Jobs was obsessed with the user experience and he always put the needs of the user first. He believed that if you create Aa product that is truly user-friendly, people will be willing to pay a premium for it.
· Be passionate about your work. Jobs was incredibly passionate about his work and he expected the same from his employees. He believed that passion was contagious and that it could inspire others to do great things.
Steve’s top quotes:
· "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." --- Healthy organizations are big on employee surveys; we need to develop love surveys & conduct stay interviews.
· "Stay hungry, stay foolish." –-- As a person who just fasted the month of Ramadan, I can relate that when we are hungry, we operate efficiently and exert every effort to get to our goal; energy leaders need to stay hungry to attain innovative goals that many called “foolish”.
· "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." At many organizations, innovation is not rewarded or supported; as an energy leader, your innovation will be self-rewarding and that is the reward in itself.
· "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." Your most valuable asset is time so invest in an energy career that will make a difference. Many states have advanced their hard to attain 100% clean and renewable energy systems from 2050 to 2035 or so.
· "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice." --- valuable tip: filter the noise & ignore the haters
· "Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." --- Be different in every possible way, stand out, and stand your ground.
· "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. --- Never settle and if your work environment will force you to settle, then it is time to exit.
For more leadership tips, check out my book:
The All-Inclusive Utility Leader - A Business Like No Other [lulu.com]