Executive Summary
When my classmates and I were assigned this essay assignment on leadership I must admit I was at a loss as to whom my ideal leader was. The decision as to whom I would write about did not come quickly. I racked my brain for one whole week assessing numerous historical great leaders and also mentors and colleagues closest to me. Unfortunately, these investigations somehow, did not connect with the point I sought to express. Then I began to think back to 2001 when I experienced first-hand the very near obliteration of the music industry, through which I made a living for more than seven years, up until that point. Suddenly, like a flash of light, the image of an iconic leader came to my mind’s forefront.
This essay will focus on and cover the leadership qualities of the CEO of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs for me holds a strong personal connection because of his close work with the music industry that transpired more than a decade ago and continues till this day. This study will look at Jobs’ transformational characteristics as a leader and examine how his unique leadership qualities positioned him to reshape his own industry of computing along with the music, movie and mobile phone industries.
