One of the most enduring qualities of Steve Jobs was his hands-on approach to problem-solving. He wasn’t the kind of leader who would simply delegate tasks and then disappear; he was right there in the trenches with his team. When a problem arose that required an all-nighter, Jobs wouldn’t just tell the team to stay up and solve it — he’d be up with them, clicking away on product features, testing limits, and pushing boundaries until something broke. This was more than just a show of solidarity; it was a demonstration of his deep involvement in every aspect of the product development process.

Jobs’ willingness to roll up his sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty details served multiple purposes.

First, it set the tone for the entire team, creating a culture of commitment and shared responsibility. When the leader is as invested in solving a problem as the rest of the team, it elevates everyone’s game.

Second, Jobs had an uncanny ability to identify issues and bottlenecks that others might overlook. His hands-on involvement often led to breakthroughs that might not have occurred otherwise. His active participation in these marathon sessions was a testament to his belief in the transformative power of dedication. We weren’t just building products; we were crafting experiences that he believed would change the world. And that level of conviction was contagious, inspiring his team to go the extra mile, not because we had to, but because we wanted to be part of something groundbreaking.