How to Run a Large Company with a Startup’s Spirit – Insights from Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs believed that even the largest companies could retain the creativity, energy, and agility of a startup. His approach was rooted in fostering open communication, building trust, and ensuring everyone stayed aligned with the company’s goals.

One of his key strategies was holding a three-hour meeting with his top team every week. During these meetings, they discussed every aspect of the business, from strategy to execution. This practice ensured that everyone had a clear understanding of the big picture and could make informed decisions. It also helped identify challenges early and find solutions collectively, fostering a culture of shared accountability.

Jobs highlighted the importance of trust in building effective teamwork. He believed that successful collaboration depended on trusting team members to deliver their responsibilities without constant supervision. This trust not only empowered individuals to take ownership of their tasks but also encouraged innovation and creativity, as people were not afraid to take calculated risks.

Additionally, Jobs structured the organization to function less like a rigid hierarchy and more like a collaborative network. He avoided traditional silos by ensuring that leaders from different areas worked closely together. This approach broke down barriers, allowed ideas to flow freely, and ensured that every team was aligned with the company’s vision.

By fostering teamwork at the top, this spirit filtered down to all levels of the company. Employees felt motivated to contribute their best, knowing they were part of a unified team working toward a common purpose.

Jobs’ philosophy teaches us that no matter the size of an organization, maintaining a startup’s spirit is possible through regular communication, trust, collaboration, and breaking down silos. These principles are timeless and can inspire businesses today to innovate and thrive in a fast-changing world.

Embrace these lessons, and you can build an organization where innovation, teamwork, and trust?drive?success.