Leadership Lessons: How to Be the Best Apple on the Tree by Natalie Spiro

The Internet is alive with mentions and tweets about Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer’s Conference and while everyone shares their opinions about the company’s latest tech announcements, I can’t help but think about how they came to lead the tech industry. Yes, Apple is known for its original, user-friendly products, but I think what is truly innovative is the way they handle their business. Over the years, I’ve spotted three major leadership characteristics that make this company the biggest, brightest apple on the tech tree:

Be open to collaboration. As Apple users know, Apple is always releasing new product models and software updates. Though I admit the amount of times we have to update our phones and computers seems excessive sometimes, I appreciate that Apple is developing these improvements with our feedback in mind. Make an effort to improve based on any suggestions you receive; there is always room for improvement and you might become aware of something you’ve overlooked before. So many people put interaction with others on the backburner when they’re working on projects, but I think input from others is necessary to be a great leader. There’s always something to learn from the people around you and by being open to others’ ideas and opinions, you can find innovative ways to approach issues, make improvements and spark new ideas for future projects.

Pursue the unconventional. Ever have crazy ideas that you think would be impossible to make a reality? Don’t be afraid to pursue those inclinations, as they just might be crazy enough to work! Apple designers had no guidelines to follow when they decided to create touchscreen smartphones or develop a smart watch, but they weren’t afraid to go through a lot of trial and error to bring their ideas to life. I know that more often than not we’re afraid to pursue the unknown, but as a leader you have the opportunity (dare I say responsibility?) to go outside of your comfort zone to help your organization move forward. Embracing your creative side will give you an advantage as a leader and can help you drum up innovative solutions for obstacles within your organization.

Strive for simplicity. I’ve always admired Apple’s business philosophy of providing simple, no-frills products that everyone can use. Everything from its products and software, to its website and applications are specifically designed to be sleek and user-friendly. To be a strong leader, it’s important that you work hard to create a steady rhythm with your schedule to remove any complexity from your life, and to trust those around you to take on tasks that need to be done but are not your top priority. The simpler it is to maneuver through your day, the easier it will be for you to get work done. I think the best way to start simplifying is by establishing a single, clear goal for your organization to work toward. This way, everyone can be on the same page and can work together with the same purpose.
Just how Steve Jobs famously said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” Apple Inc. has shown us that leadership and innovation truly do go hand in hand. In your opinion, which company is currently the most innovative and why?