The Intrinsic Role of Fathers in the Success of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, often credited his father, Paul Jobs, with teaching him valuable lessons that contributed significantly to his success. Walter Isaacson recounts one notable story in Steve Jobs’ biography, highlighting this influence.

Paul taught Steve to build a fence around their California home, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship. He told Steve, “You’ve got to make the back of the wall, that nobody will see, just as good looking as the front of the fence.”

Isaacson explained, “Even though nobody will see it, you will know, and that will show that you’re loyal to making something perfect.” This lesson in meticulousness and pride in one’s work profoundly influenced Steve Jobs’ approach to product design.

Impact on Apple:

Steve Jobs applied his father’s teachings to Apple, ensuring that the company’s products were of the highest quality inside and out.

Walter Isaacson noted that Jobs insisted the insides of Apple’s products, like microchips, be beautifully designed and that every screw has expensive plating.

Jobs once said, “When you’re a carpenter making a lovely chest of drawers, you’re not heading to use a bit of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall.” This philosophy of uncompromising quality became a cornerstone of Apple’s success.

Reflections from Mark Cuban on His Father:

Entrepreneur Mark Cuban also shared how his father’s experience influenced his career. Cuban reflected on his father’s job, which had little future and constrained his time, motivating him to seek a different path.

From his father’s situation, he learned the importance of creating a career that gives one more control over one’s destiny.

Cuban stated, “This time wasn’t spent learning about what my dad did, but learning that his job didn’t have a future. His time was never his own … he wanted me to create my path.”