The concept described in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs refers to an individual’s ability to convince themselves and others to believe almost anything, regardless of contradictory evidence. It’s characterized by a blend of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing, appeasement, and persistence. An example of this would be convincing a team that a seemingly impossible deadline is achievable, inspiring extraordinary effort and, occasionally, achieving the improbable.
This characteristic, while potentially manipulative, was instrumental in Jobs’s success. It enabled him to push his teams to deliver groundbreaking products and challenge conventional limitations. Its historical context lies in a combination of leadership styles and the pressure to innovate in the rapidly evolving technology sector. The effect could be both positive, leading to innovation, and negative, creating unrealistic expectations and potentially damaging working conditions.
