Becoming Steve Jobs

Becoming Steve Jobs, the new book by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli, is a great read for those that want to know more about the man himself. I came away from the book with an understanding of Steve that was more nuanced and three-dimensional.

Don’t expect to find lots of tips for how to create great products, however. Steve’s story includes that, obviously, but it’s not the focus of the book. Still, two ideas stuck with me:

• Maintain your focus on the few pieces that are truly important. Don’t get distracted with the million other things in this world. Say “no” a lot and let other things slide.

• Develop an organizing principle—a clear “why”—behind what you’re doing. Your customers will eventually need to hear it, and your team can’t fully get on board with a plan they don’t understand.

So if you want to know Steve, read this book. But if you want to be Steve—and guide smart people to create incredible things—start with Ed Catmull’s Creativity, Inc. I’m planning to go back and re-read it now.