Brainstorming with Steve Jobs' NeXT Startup Team
In the working groups Steve Jobs created at Pebble Beach, California in the early '80s, it appeared the culture was formed around a raw, entrepreneurial mindset where devising a company, a logo, a product, and getting it to market was what the retreats were all about. Getting away to a relaxing, enjoyable off-site location where the group can co-create was a vital component in allowing brainstorming to occur and sustain. Once the brainstorming discussions began, all that mattered was what each individual brought to the discussions that pushed to the growth of the new company up.
Based on the personalities, characteristics, and disposition of the members of the NeXT Startup Team, I believe I would have fit in as a contributing team member offering insights in numerous areas to include the schedule's deadline, defining the problem, cutting costs, tying periodic progress with vision, marketing, and motivation. My approach to all of these areas typically begin with listening to what others have to say and understand where they may be coming from as well as understanding where it appears they want to go in the discussion. Once I have a firm grip on where the group wants to go with the brainstorming session, I typically would offer an idea or perspective based on a relative experience or an idea not yet considered that may affect the problem set.
My independence attribute lends me the ability to think for myself, problem-solve, and create independent of the working group, offering up unique ideas and solutions. In the realm of achievement, I would leave the identification of milestones achieved to Steve Jobs. As the Chairman with the vision the team is working towards, he would be the one to measure and determine which achievements are worth mentioning and which ones were not. In this brainstorming environment, I do not require much in the way of recognition. A feeling of contribution would be enough. Being recognized as a valuable contributor would settle my dust in terms of this attribute. My ability to assess risk versus gain in this environment would come out as the devil's advocate. I would point out opposing concerns that may need to be but have not yet been considered. I would approach financial issues initially theoretically, then pragmatically. This approach helps me understand where we want to go as well as how we will get there in terms of funds. Leveraging a strong characteristic of problem-solving within innovation motivates me to brainstorm right along with others; bouncing ideas in more of a smaller sidebar group instead of a Chairman-led brainstorming group. Nonetheless, this characteristic would allow me to confidently bring up issues and their potential solutions. Finally, my multi-tasking attribute keeps me focused on details as well as time schedules; issues discussed at the retreat. Creating a reverse timeline from the 'due date' back to current time can show incrementally what is required at any given time segment and if it is possible to accomplish within the given time frame.
Being aware of the other member's area of expertise and experience, I would tend to be a bit more reserved trying to capture what is being said, how well it is being delivered, and how others are receiving them. This observation in communication also assists me in becoming aware of the group's conversational transaction effectiveness. In truth, at the end of the day, I would be learning about each individual's job position and responsibilities and how everyone interacts. Having this information affords me a certain amount of confidence in knowing when to speak up, what to offer up, and how to deliver it most effectively. I would have loved being a part of Steve Jobs' NeXT STartup Team brainstorming retreat.
Reference:
Job's Official (2017, November 23). Steve jobs brainstorms with the next team 1985. Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udi0rk3jZYM.
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