The Power of Teamwork: Lessons from Steve Jobs on Organizing Startups

Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, believed in the power of simplicity and trust in an organization. He famously said, "You know how many committees we have at Apple? Zero. We have no committees." This statement is not just about a lack of bureaucratic structures; it reflects a profound approach to organizing a company like a startup, even when it grows into a tech giant.

Steve Jobs at D8 conference, 2010

Photo: CNET

Apple’s Organizational Structure

At Apple, Jobs ensured that the company was structured like a startup, regardless of its size. Here’s how Apple was organized under Jobs:

• Single Point of Responsibility: Each major area had one person in charge. For instance, one person handled iPhone OS software, another handled Mac hardware, and so on.

• Weekly Meetings: The top executives met for three hours once a week to discuss everything happening in the company. This ensured that everyone was on the same page and could make swift decisions.

• Trust and Teamwork: Jobs emphasized that teamwork was built on trust. Each person was responsible for their part and trusted others to fulfill their roles without constant supervision.

This startup-like structure fostered agility, quick decision-making, and a strong sense of ownership among the team members.

How Young Founders Can Organize Their Startups

For young founders looking to organize their startups effectively, here are some key takeaways from Steve Jobs' approach:

1. Clear Responsibilities: Assign clear roles and responsibilities to each team member. Ensure that each person knows what they are accountable for.

2. Regular Meetings: Hold regular, focused meetings with your core team to discuss progress, challenges, and plans. This keeps everyone aligned and informed.

3. Flat Structure: Maintain a flat organizational structure where communication is open and direct. Avoid unnecessary layers of hierarchy that can slow down decision-making.

4. Trust: Build a culture of trust where team members are confident in each other's abilities and commitments. Trust reduces the need for micromanagement and allows for greater efficiency and creativity.

5. Agility: Stay agile and adaptable. Be ready to pivot or adjust strategies based on new information or market changes.

Real-Life Example: Instagram

Instagram’s rise to success mirrors many of the principles advocated by Steve Jobs. Founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram started as a small team but quickly grew into one of the most popular social media platforms. Here’s how they applied some of the lessons from Jobs:

• Small, Focused Team: In its early days, Instagram had a small, highly focused team. Each member had clear responsibilities, which allowed them to move quickly and efficiently.

• Regular Syncs: The founders and core team held regular syncs to discuss product updates, user feedback, and growth strategies. This ensured that everyone was aligned and could make quick decisions.

• Flat Structure: The team maintained a flat structure, promoting open communication and rapid problem-solving.

• Trust and Ownership: Each team member was trusted to take ownership of their tasks. This trust fostered a sense of responsibility and pride in their work, which contributed to Instagram’s rapid growth and success.

Conclusion

Steve Jobs’ approach to organizing Apple like a startup offers valuable lessons for young founders. By assigning clear responsibilities, holding regular meetings, maintaining a flat structure, fostering trust, and staying agile, startups can create an environment that promotes innovation and efficiency.

The success stories of companies like Apple and Instagram demonstrate the power of these principles in building strong, dynamic teams that can achieve remarkable success. So, as a young founder, embrace these strategies to organize your startup and navigate the path to growth and innovation.

Definitely listen to Steve Jobs:

Source: Steve Jobs in 2010, at D8 Conference