40 years ago, Steve Jobs revealed the only secret of the ideal employee: what is the point

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The presence of this principle is especially important for rapidly changing industries, where a timely decision can provide a competitive advantage.

Steve Jobs believed in the power of employee self-management and made it one of the principles that defined leadership at Apple. At the heart of this philosophy was the idea that smart, creative, and motivated people achieve their best results when they are trusted and allowed to work autonomously, writes Inc.com.

The businessman identified three key benefits of implementing a culture of self-management in any company:  

1. Increased innovation and flexibility  

When employees are given the freedom to make decisions, they become more creative, respond faster to challenges, and offer innovative solutions. This is especially important in fast-changing industries, where timely decisions can provide a competitive advantage.

Steve Jobs aptly said:

“There’s no point in hiring smart people and telling them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”

This approach creates an environment where employees can act boldly, feeling supported by management.

2. Freeing up time for strategic leadership

Managers who micromanage spend time and resources on details, leaving less room for strategic goals. In turn, self-directed employees take responsibility for processes, freeing managers to focus on global business issues such as development, vision, and finding new opportunities.  

The shift from control to trust helps create an environment in which employees develop decision-making skills and confidence, which increases the overall effectiveness of the team.  

3. Increase engagement and reduce turnover

Research shows that autonomy is a significant factor in employee engagement. People who are trusted to make decisions are more invested in their work and feel responsible for the outcome.  

When employees feel that their opinions matter, they become more committed to the company. This not only reduces employee turnover, but also creates a culture where employees are willing to go the extra mile to achieve shared goals.