In one of the many insightful interviews that Steve Jobs gave throughout his career, he touched upon a philosophy that has resonated with entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators around the globe. This particular discussion revolved around the concept of ‘Thinkers and Do’ers’, a blend of intellectual prowess and practical execution that Jobs believed was not only pivotal to success but also fundamentally intertwined in the greatest of creators.
Jobs, during an interview in 1995 for the PBS documentary series “Triumph of the Nerds,” elucidated this idea with an example that has become somewhat legendary in the annals of tech history. He posed a rhetorical question about one of history’s most celebrated polymaths, Leonardo da Vinci. “Did Leonardo have a guy off to the side thinking five years out in the future what he would paint or the technology he would use to paint it? Of course not. Leonardo was the artist, but he also mixed all his own paints. He also was a fairly good chemist. He knew about pigments, knew about human anatomy.” Jobs was making a point about the indivisibility of thinking and doing. To him, those who made significant contributions to any field, whether it be technology, art, or science, were not just ideators but were also deeply involved in the execution of their ideas.
This philosophy is critical when viewed through the lens of Jobs’ own career trajectory. At Apple, Jobs was known for his hands-on approach in product development, not merely content with conceptualising but also deeply involved in the minutiae of design and functionality. His belief was that the ‘doers’ are the ‘major thinkers’ because they engage with the hard intellectual problems which come with bringing an idea to life. He argued that it’s too easy to claim credit for an idea without the effort of execution.
The ethos of being a thinker-doer doesn’t just apply to the tech industry but to any endeavour where innovation is key. Jobs’ perspective suggests that one should not compartmentalise thinking from doing; rather, one should seek to be an integrated part of the creative process from conception to completion. This approach ensures that the final product is not just a theoretical success but a practical one too, embodying the vision with tangible results.
For those in the modern world, whether they’re entrepreneurial spirits, artists, or scientists, Jobs’ words serve as a reminder. The synergy of thinking and doing can lead to exceptional results, much like the successful innovations at Apple under his leadership. It’s a call to action for individuals to not only dream up new ideas but to immerse themselves in the process of making those dreams a reality.
This lesson from Steve Jobs, captured in a moment of candid reflection, continues to inspire. It’s a testament to why his name is synonymous with innovation — not just for having ideas, but for executing them in ways that transformed industries and daily life.
In essence, Jobs advocated for a renaissance of sorts in every field, where the thinker and doer are one, echoing the legacy of figures like Leonardo da Vinci in our contemporary context.
*Source: Information gathered from various web results discussing Steve Jobs’ interviews.
Author: Johan
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