“But innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we’ve been thinking about a problem.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“But innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we’ve been thinking about a problem.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs highlights the spontaneous and collaborative nature of innovation. He emphasizes that true breakthroughs often happen not during structured meetings or formal brainstorming sessions, but through casual, unplanned interactions—whether it’s a chance meeting in the hallway or a late-night phone call. Jobs understood that some of the best ideas arise from collaboration and discussion between passionate individuals, especially when they have the freedom to challenge existing assumptions and think differently about a problem.
This quote reflects Apple’s culture of innovation, where creative freedom and cross-disciplinary collaboration were central to the development of revolutionary products like the Macintosh and the iPhone. At Apple, employees were encouraged to think outside the box, often resulting in serendipitous discoveries and the ability to question conventional wisdom. Jobs believed that creating an environment where ideas could flow freely—whether in informal settings or through late-night conversations—was key to pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
Today, this approach remains highly relevant in tech, business, and creative industries. It underscores the importance of fostering a culture where collaboration and open dialogue are encouraged, and where teams can freely challenge assumptions to come up with truly innovative solutions. Jobs’ words remind us that innovation is often the result of unexpected insights and connections that happen outside of traditional processes.
