When
asked how he would have led Apple differently from Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak
said he would have been "a lot nicer to people." However, he acknowledged that
this approach might have meant the Macintosh would never have been released.
Jobs was known for his demanding, controlling, and often harsh leadership
style. His relentless pursuit of perfection and insistence on pushing products
out early created significant internal pressure. Many found his management
style intolerable, likely causing the loss of valuable talent. Yet, this
approach also helped build one of the world's most iconic and successful
companies.
For
small business owners, such extreme tactics aren't necessary. However,
tolerating too much from employees, vendors, clients, and others can be just as
harmful.
Tony
Soprano from The Sopranos was admired because he embodied strength and
confidence. Tony didn't tolerate nonsense and took decisive action. While his
methods were extreme and not recommended, the core lesson is clear: standing up
for oneself and not being overly affected by criticism can lead to becoming a
more respected and assertive leader.
This
principle is particularly relevant to the security of your business. If you
fail to take a firm stand and establish clear boundaries, you will be
exploited. Cybercriminals and others with their own agendas will not care about
your well-being. They aim to exploit your hard work, steal your profits,
infiltrate your network, and access your data, jeopardizing everything you've
built.