Advice from dads of Steve Jobs, Mark Cuban, Sara Blakely and more
How did Steve Jobs compare the craftsmanship of a carpenter to his work at Apple?
Steve Jobs compared the craftsmanship of a carpenter to his work at Apple by emphasizing the importance of making every detail perfect, even the ones that are not visible. He learned this from his father, who taught him that the back of a fence should be as beautiful as the front, even though nobody would see it. Jobs applied this philosophy to Apple, ensuring that the insides of microchips and even the screws had the highest quality and attention to detail. He believed that maintaining this standard of beauty allowed him to "sleep well at night," as he told Playboy magazine in 1985.
What was the significance of making the microchips and screws in Apple products aesthetically pleasing according to Steve Jobs?
According to Steve Jobs, the significance of making the microchips and screws in Apple products aesthetically pleasing was about pursuing perfection and attention to detail. Jobs believed that every aspect of a product, even the parts that are not typically visible, should be crafted with care and beauty. This approach was instilled in him by his father, who taught him to build a fence with the same level of quality on the parts that were visible as on the parts that were not. This mindset was reflected in Jobs' insistence on the highest quality and beauty standards for every component of Apple's products. In his view, this pursuit of perfection helped him "sleep well at night," knowing that he had done everything possible to make the product the best it could be.
What specific advice did Paul Jobs give to his son Steve about building fences, and how did this influence Steve Jobs' approach at Apple?
Paul Jobs gave his son Steve a valuable piece of advice when they were building a fence around their family home2. He said, "You've got to make the back of the fence, that nobody will see, just as good looking as the front of the fence." This lesson emphasized the importance of attention to detail and dedication to perfection, even in aspects of a project that might not be visible to others.
This advice had a significant influence on Steve Jobs' approach at Apple. Jobs insisted that every element of the Macintosh computer be beautiful, down to the circuit boards inside1. He believed that maintaining a standard of beauty and quality helped him "sleep well at night." This mindset drove Jobs to ensure that every aspect of Apple's products was crafted with care and precision, a philosophy that played a considerable role in the success of the company.