Book Review

Written by Leander Kahney; Review by Sam Brock

On occasion a business book will make me think, underline, and ponder. Inside Steve’s Brain is a look at Steve Jobs and the way he led Pixar and Apple. If you pick up this book, plenty of things will not be a help as an example of biblical management. I purchased the book because I wanted to know how one guy could be so involved in the details of his company and still run the company. I also wanted to know how he implemented his philosophical bent. I might not agree with it, but I wanted to know how he made it permeate the company. I did not expect it to be more than a skim-through book. Following are a few thoughts about and from the book.

Skip Chapter 5—after reading part of it, I wrote at the top of the chapter, “Don’t be like Steve.” The chapter is entitled “Putting a Ding in the Universe,” which tells you how limited the life view is of a non believer. I am with God, and He will do more than put a ding in the universe!

Be careful with Chapter 4, “Hire Only A Players, Fire the Bozos.” Remember God works in spite of our weaknesses. He is glorified when it is obvious we can’t do it—anything accomplished is through Him.

Chapter 9 deals with Jobs’ battle with cancer and his view on death. It is a reminder that no matter what the talent or riches, a person is still faced with death and the question of how he lived his life.

Each chapter ends with a list of Lessons from Steve. Start by reading those; if any interest you, go back and read the details in the chapter.

I have shared with my team a few interesting thoughts or made them a topic of discussion:

Simplicity is complexity resolved.

Focused means saying no.

Develop alternatives and then pick the best (referring to product development).

Don’t listen to your customers—this one was interesting . . . a little like, “do kids know what is best for them?”

Invest in people—the Pixar University example.

Don’t consciously think about innovation.

Don’t be afraid of trial and error.

Warning: This is not a Christian book. I am trusting you to be a discerning reader and to just skip an entire section if it warrants it.