“I have a great respect for incremental improvement, and I’ve done that sort of thing in my life, but I’ve always been attracted to the more revolutionary changes. I don’t know why. Because they’re harder. They’re much more stressful emotionally. And you usually go through a period where everybody tells you that you’ve completely failed.”
- 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.
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Quote
“I have a great respect for incremental improvement, and I’ve done that sort of thing in my life, but I’ve always been attracted to the more revolutionary changes. I don’t know why. Because they’re harder. They’re much more stressful emotionally. And you usually go through a period where everybody tells you that you’ve completely failed.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs reflects on his attraction to revolutionary change, despite acknowledging that such transformations are often more challenging and emotionally stressful. While he respects the value of incremental improvement, where progress is made step-by-step, Jobs found himself drawn to bold, groundbreaking innovations that could reshape industries or the way people interact with technology. He candidly admits that these revolutionary changes come with significant challenges, including intense personal stress and the inevitable period of doubt when others may believe the idea or product is destined to fail.
Jobs’ pursuit of revolutionary change was a defining characteristic of his leadership at Apple. He didn’t want to just improve on existing technology—he wanted to reinvent it. This mindset led to the creation of iconic products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, all of which disrupted industries and dramatically changed the way people interacted with technology. However, Jobs was also aware of the difficult emotional toll that came with pursuing high-risk innovations. The early stages of these projects were often met with skepticism and criticism, but Jobs’ ability to persevere through these setbacks was central to Apple’s success.
Today, this quote serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards of pursuing revolutionary innovation. It encourages those in creative fields, business, and technology to be bold in their pursuits and to embrace the challenges that come with trying to make a meaningful impact. Jobs’ experience shows that disruptive change may be difficult and emotionally taxing, but it is also the path that leads to true transformation and lasting impact.
