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Steve Jobs was a truly inspiring man whose beliefs and practices have inspired many people.

Following are the top nine most inspiring lessons I have learned from Steve Jobs:

#1 Do things right

At a young age, Steve Jobs learned a valuable lesson from his father: to craft the back of cabinets and fences properly, even though they were hidden.

Jobs learned at an early age that it was important to do things the right way. From the inside out, Steve Jobs believed in simple, beautiful design even on the parts of the product that you don't see.

#2 Use simplicity in design

People like easy solutions to problems, and Jobs understood that. Apple devices integrate hardware and software flawlessly through simple design. Apple strips any unnecessary features from their products. Steve Jobs prided himself on his design philosophy that he carried with him throughout his time at Apple:

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Steve Jobs

Jobs felt that design simplicity should be linked by making products easy to use.

#3 Focus is important

Steve Jobs had the ability to focus intensely on only a handful of core objectives. It was important to him to focus on developing 1 amazing product at a time, instead of 1000 mediocre ones.

"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully." - Steve Jobs

#4 Don't let others say you can't do something

Jobs was known for his futuristic imagination when developing products. Often, the Apple engineers would tell him that his ideas were not possible and could not happen. Jobs would tell them to find a way to do it.

"What happened was, the designers came up with this really great idea... and the engineers go, "Nah, we can't do that, That's impossible."... the manufacturing people... go "We can't build that!" And it gets a lot worse... And I said "No, no, we're doing this." And they said, "Well, why?" And I said, "Because I'm the CEO and I think it can be done." And so they kind of begrudgingly did it. But then it was a big hit."

Steve Jobs adopted the mindest that if he decided that something should happen, then he was just going to make it happen.

#5 Understand customer needs and wants

Jobs had a unique ability to anticipate future technology that people don't even know they needed. Jobs completely revolutionized the computer, music, phone, and tablet industry. Jobs philosophy is summed up in this quote:

"If we can rap about their needs, feelings, and motivations, we can respond appropriately by giving them what they want" - Steve Jobs

Jobs ability to understand human desire and what the next breakthrough technology would be, allowed him to create great companies founded on well designed products.

#6 It's not about the money

Steve Jobs did not care about money when he built companies. He believed that you should never start a company with the goal of getting rich. Your goal should be making something you believe in and making a company that will last.

#7 Recuit 'A' players to your team

Recruiting A players to your team is crucial! A players are the brains behind great ideas and great products. Surrounding yourself with smart, innovative people is the best way to jumpstart a business.

"Great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people." - Steve Jobs

But, A players typically like to work with other A players, says Jobs. So, save yourself both time and money by focusing on only hiring A players into your organization.

#8 'Talk the talk' before you can 'walk the walk'

Jobs was very confident in his abilities, yet extremely persistent with his beliefs. He did not always have the power, or the seniority to voice his opinion so strongly, but Jobs taught me to pretend to be completely in control and people will assume that you are. People naturally like to follow others who exude confidence (not to be confused with cockiness). Jony Ive sums up Job's persuasive abilities:

"There can be something he knows absolutely nothing about, and because of his crazy style and utter conviction, he can convince people that he knows what he's talking about." - Jony Ive

#9 Only accept product perfection

Jobs was known to either think something was the greatest thing ever, or think it was awful. There was no in between. Steve Jobs was incredibly passionate about his products, and he showed it. Don't settle for something just to meet a deadline, work on your product until it is perfect and you are 100% proud of it.

Conclusion

These lessons from Steve Jobs can be very beneficial to you and your business. Think about them and brainstorm how you can utilize them within your business.

For further reading on Steve Jobs, I highly recommend you pick up your own copy of Walter Isaacson's Biography on Steve Jobs. To this day, it is one of the best books I have read.

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