“Throughout my years in business, I discovered something. I would always ask why you do things. The answers that I would invariably get are: ‘Oh, that’s just the way things are done around here.’ Nobody knows why they do what they do. Nobody thinks very deeply about things in business.”
- 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
“Throughout my years in business, I discovered something. I would always ask why you do things. The answers that I would invariably get are: ‘Oh, that’s just the way things are done around here.’ Nobody knows why they do what they do. Nobody thinks very deeply about things in business.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs reflects on his experience in business and the importance of questioning established practices. He points out that, too often, people in business follow processes or routines without ever questioning why they do things the way they do. When Jobs asked why certain decisions or actions were taken, he would often receive vague answers like, “That’s just the way things are done here.” This lack of critical thinking and deep reflection in business processes frustrated Jobs, as he believed that true innovation and progress come from continually questioning the status quo and thinking more deeply about why things are done a certain way.
Jobs encouraged a culture of inquisitive thinking at Apple, where questioning assumptions and challenging conventional wisdom was not just allowed but expected. This mindset led to revolutionary innovations, as Apple constantly sought to improve upon existing products and processes. By pushing his team to think more deeply and critically, Jobs was able to drive transformative change, creating products that were not just incremental improvements, but game-changers in the industry.
Today, this quote serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking in business and innovation. In a world where industries are constantly evolving, it’s essential to question old habits, avoid complacency, and always ask why things are done a certain way. Jobs’ words encourage businesses and individuals to challenge assumptions, think outside the box, and continuously strive for improvement and innovation.
