Thoughts on the book, The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs

About 3 weeks ago I read the book, The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principals for Breakthrough Success by Carmine Gallo.  I know of people who do not like Steve Jobs, but I am on a mission to study innovation and the lives of innovators.  I do not want to focus on what Steve Jobs did wrong in his life, but on his principles of innovation.  This research will help me with my year-long Google innovation project and with my understanding of design thinking.

At the start of the book, the author clarified the word innovation.  "By definition, innovation simply means finding a new way to do things that result in positive change.  You're being innovative if you find a new way to build a business, sell a product, grow your career, live your life, or make the world a better place."  One of my goals as an educator is to help create innovators who will make the world a better place.  Many will not be the next Steve Jobs, but it is important for kids to know they can change the world in a positive way.

Another part of the book that caught my attention is on the topic of creativity.  "The secret to creativity really is to bombard the brain with new experiences and connect ideas from different fields."  This makes me realize about the importance of exposing students to various ideas and topics, to challenge their thinking.

I agree with the author that "America's education system needs an injection of innovation."  At the Google Innovation Academy in London, Les Macbeth mentioned that entrepreneurialism is a mindset.  I totally agree with the book, "Training entrepreneurs is different from training people to be employees."  It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes below:

Steve Job's seven principals are the following:

• Do what you love and follow your heart.
• Put a dent in the universe and inspire passionate fans.
• Kick-start your brain and unlock your creative potential.
• Sell dreams, not products and see the genius in craziness.
• Say no to 1,000 things and say yes to simplicity.
• Create insanely great experiences that people will love.
• Master the message and be a captivating storyteller.

Two chapters have been dedicated to each of the seven principals.  The readers are always challenged to "think differently" about the following aspects of their life:

• Career (Principle 1: "Do What You Love")
• Vision (Principle 2: "Put a Dent in the Universe") 
• Thoughts (Principle 3: "Kick-Start Your Brain")
• Customers (Principle 4: "Sell Dreams, Not Products") 
• Design (Principle 5: "Say no to 1,000 Things") 
• Experience (Principle 6: "Create Insanely Great Experiences") 
• Story (Principle 7: "Master the Message")

One way to think like an innovator, is to look at a problem and ask yourself a simple question: What would Steve do?

What potential do you see in yourself?  As the book states, imagine what you could achieve with the right insight and inspiration.  Where would you take your career if you had Steve Jobs guiding your decisions?

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