Even after creating a trillion-dollar technology behemoth, Steve Jobs never claimed to know everything.
That’s the takeaway that stayed with Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, who collaborated with the late cofounder for almost 15 years on products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
In his 2024 submission (likely a commencement address) published by a prominent outlet, Ive shared the mindset that shaped one of the world’s most valuable companies.
“We ate lunch together almost every day and spent our afternoons in the quiet haven of the design studio,” Ive wrote. “Steve valued curiosity and exploring untested ideas far more than fitting in socially,” he continued. “For Steve, the desire to learn outweighed the need to be correct.”
Jobs’ “unquenchable curiosity” wasn’t limited by his vast expertise. Ive noted that the tech visionary remained “fierce, energetic, and relentless” in pursuing new knowledge until his passing. This mindset might be the key ingredient behind trillion-dollar triumphs like Apple— which has sold over 3 billion iPhones globally and is among the rare companies with a market cap exceeding $4 trillion. After three groundbreaking decades at Apple, Ive still draws on this wisdom as he leads his own design firm, LoveFrom.
“Our curiosity brought us together. It laid the groundwork for our enjoyable and fruitful partnership,” Ive explained. “I believe it also eased our fear of taking on something incredibly innovative.”
Brian Chesky and Tim Cook also attribute their work philosophies to Jobs
Ive isn’t the only tech founder or creative whose work philosophy was influenced by Jobs.
Airbnb cofounder and CEO Brian Chesky—leader of the $78 billion short-term rental giant—gained insights while discussing with Ive how Jobs led his team. Chesky had observed that Jobs was known for being a detail-obsessed “micromanager,” but after conversing with Ive, it became clear Jobs wasn’t an overbearing boss. Most importantly, Ive stated, Jobs was focused on nurturing his team’s talent.
“I asked, ‘Did Steve Jobs ever feel like he was micromanaging you? Because he was involved in every detail,’” Chesky recalled earlier this year. “And he replied, ‘No. He didn’t micromanage me—he partnered with me. We tackled problems together, and his focus on details made me improve.’”
Apple CEO Tim Cook also credits Jobs with teaching him valuable skills, such as the importance of adapting from past beliefs—a trait few leaders possess, he says. Cook explained that Jobs valued people who could admit their mistakes, encouraged lively debate, and enjoyed being challenged by his team. Even though Jobs would play devil’s advocate to spark deeper thinking, Cook believes this was the best way to learn.
“He loved debating, and he loved when others debated him,” Cook told the Wall Street Journal in 2024. “You could always change Jobs’ mind if you had the strongest idea. We changed each other’s minds—that’s why our partnership worked so effectively.”
Corning CEO Wendell Weeks also credits Jobs with pushing him to face his fears. Back in the mid-2000s, Jobs saw potential in Corning’s technical capabilities to produce durable glass screens for the 2007 iPhone launch. However, Weeks told Jobs he couldn’t deliver, worried about scaling production to meet Apple’s needs.
“Do you know what your issue is?” Weeks recalled Jobs saying to him. “You’re scared that I’ll launch the biggest product in history, and I won’t be able to do it because you failed—and I’ll tear you apart.”
That wake-up call was exactly what Weeks needed: he acknowledged his fear, shifted his mindset, and followed through on the deal. Fast-forward to 2025, and Apple has committed $2.5 billion to produce all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass at Corning’s facility.