What if Steve Jobs’ unorthodox leadership style was let loose on Adventist Schools? Here are seven thoughts about leading Adventist schools through the lens of Steve Jobs. Each of these thoughts comes complete with a Steve Jobs quote.
1. Jobs probably wouldn’t do it like you (or me).
He would ignore current leadership trends, go into hiding, and pray until he came out with a revolutionary way to direct his school. He would likely start from the ground up and envision a new way to connect teachers and students to Christ in a language this generation understands.
Who knows what Jobs would venture to try—Facebook classrooms, ministry classes with Bible geniuses, Skyped school board meetings—I don't know, but one thing's for sure, it would be different.
“We're gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make ‘me too’ products. Let some other companies do that. For us, it's always the next dream.”
2. Jobs would direct his staff to spend the majority of their time developing new ideas to teach Adventist kids.
He would expect his staff to stay up nights, work long days (and weekends) on this endeavor. He would be a terror to work for, but his passion and vision would ensure staff loyalty.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
3. Jobs would serve as a high-quality school success filter.
He would encourage creativity and new ideas among his staff, but Jobs would also serve as a tough educator. He would say “No” to many more ideas than “Yes.” In other words, Jobs wouldn’t collect ineffective teaching methods.
"I'm as proud of the products that we have not done as the ones we have done."
4. Jobs would indeed cast a big vision.
He would certainly create a new vision meant to inspire a Christian education movement that would probably break most (if not all) the current educational rules and principles. Instruction and evaluation would all be redesigned and simplified to create simple and stunning ways to connect students to Christ as well as prepare them for useful service.
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me…Going to bed saying we’ve done something wonderful…that’s what matters to me.”
5. Jobs would hire the best.
He would look for qualified teachers, but more than anything, he would hire those with passionate potential. If you weren't dedicated to the big dream of educating Christian students, it's not likely you'd make it on his team.
“When I hire somebody really senior, competence is the ante. They have to be really smart. But the real issue for me is, are they going to fall in love with Apple? Because if they fall in love with Apple, everything else will take care of itself.”
6. Jobs would innovate out of a slump.
When things weren’t working out, he wouldn’t necessarily ask for more money or shrink the budget to keep the school afloat. Instead, he would use prayer (the new innovation for Jobs) to create an alternate path out of a declining ministry.
"The cure for Apple is not cost-cutting. The cure for Apple is to innovate its way out of its current predicament."
7. Jobs would know when to pass the torch.
“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know."
Steve Jobs spent years leading Mac. There’s a lot we can learn from a man with an uncompromising vision like Jobs. We don't need to break all the rules, like Jobs, to be successful. We just need an undying commitment to the cause of Christian education—but it is important to keep a fresh perspective on leadership
in Adventist education.
Our job to make “real” leaders carries much more weight, and the power behind it is truly capable of making today’s school revolutionary.
