Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, once shared his candid thoughts on the consulting profession during a lecture at MIT in 1992. His message was clear and direct: consultants should strive to do more than just provide advice.
Jobs argued that consulting lacks crucial elements that make a job truly meaningful. He emphasized the importance of ownership, autonomy, and the ability to learn from one’s mistakes over an extended period. According to Jobs, these factors are essential for personal and professional growth.
“Without owning something over an extended period of time, like a few years, where one has a chance to take responsibility for one’s recommendations, where one has to see one’s recommendations through all action stages, and accumulate scar tissue for the mistakes, and pick oneself up off the ground, and dust oneself off, one learns a fraction of what one can,” Jobs stated.
He likened the consulting experience to a two-dimensional perspective, comparing it to looking at pictures of fruit on a wall without ever tasting the real thing. Jobs believed that consultants miss out on the three-dimensional experience of seeing their recommendations through to implementation and dealing with the consequences.
This perspective from Jobs may resonate with many young consultants today, particularly those from Generation Z. These professionals are increasingly seeking careers that offer more meaning and purpose, even if it means sacrificing the stability and high salaries typically associated with consulting roles.
Jobs’ critique of consulting was not just talk; he lived by his own advice throughout his career. After dropping out of college, he co-founded Apple in 1976 and guided the company through various ups and downs. Even when he left Apple in 1985 to start NeXT, a computer company focused on higher education, he continued to take risks and pursue his vision.
Perhaps Jobs’ most significant decision came when he returned to Apple in 1997 and led the company into the iPhone era. This move transformed Apple and the tech industry as a whole, with iPhone sales now accounting for nearly half of Apple’s net sales.
Throughout his life, Jobs consistently encouraged others to take risks in pursuit of a greater purpose. In a conversation with his
biographer, Walter Isaacson, Jobs expressed his belief in contributing to the flow of history: “We’re all part of the flow of history … you’ve got to put something back into the flow of history that’s going to help your community, help other people.”
Jobs’ advice to consultants and his overall philosophy on work and life reflect a deep-seated belief in the value of hands-on experience, personal responsibility, and meaningful contribution. His words challenge professionals in all fields to consider how they can make a lasting impact through their work.
While Jobs’ perspective on consulting may be controversial, it offers food for thought for both seasoned professionals and those just starting their careers. It raises important questions about the nature of work, the value of experience, and the pursuit of purpose in one’s professional life.
As the business world continues to evolve, Jobs’ words serve as a reminder of the importance of taking ownership, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and striving to make a meaningful difference in whatever field one chooses to pursue.