Master of Manipulation? Learn Steve Jobs’ Tips for Getting What You Want

Use Flattery to Gain Loyalty

Jobs was notorious for using flattery to get his way — he felt it gave him leverage. His autobiography by Walter Isaacson puts this idea into perspective: "Jobs could seduce and charm people at will, and he liked to do so… But Jobs could be charming to people he hated just as easily as he could be insulting to people he liked."

People like to know when they've done a good job — in fact, they crave it. They like knowing when their work is recognized or when they have an impact. It's especially powerful when it comes from their boss or someone they respect. Dish it out, but sparingly — it will keep people wanting more, and thus willing to do whatever they can to appease you.

Be Brutally Honest with Everyone

When Jobs returned to Apple, the company was in disarray. They needed his help to get the company realigned with the image he built from the start. And Jobs knew that the root cause was their product lineup.

"The products suck! There's no sex in them anymore!" Coworkers and employees will appreciate your honesty, even if it hurts. Jobs believed that this was what made the culture of Apple so different — it's what helped them rise above their competitors. "We are brutally honest with each other, and anyone can tell me they think I am full of s**t and I can tell them the same," he said. "That's the ante for being in the room: You've got to be able to be super honest."

Customers also value honesty now more than ever. For far too long they've been sold products that didn't live up to their expectations, causing them to lose trust in companies. If you want to win over your customer base (or really anyone), be honest with them. They'll appreciate your candidness and be more willing to support your cause if they know they're not getting duped.

Show Passion When Pitching

Jobs' iconic Apple Event pitches are something everyone remembers. Clad in a black turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers, Jobs would pace back and forth on the stage, discussing what Apple was working on and why. He was excited about what the company was doing in the tech world, and he made people want to be part of that excitement.

Emotion plays a huge role in a compelling pitch, and Jobs knew this. People buy on emotion, and then use logic to back up their decision. So whether you're selling yourself to a potential employer or a product to a customer, use strong emotions to get their buy-in.

Dedicate Yourself to Your Job

There was nothing passive about Jobs' position as the CEO of Apple and chairman of Pixar. His work ethic was something to be admired. Jobs would work from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day to make sure everything was on track. His dedication to his career was something people admired.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work," Jobs said.

A fantastic work ethic is also one of the best ways to motivate others, whether its employees or customers. By putting in extra hours and dedicating all of your effort to anything — your job, family, or even hobby — it inspires others to do the same.

Act Now, Fix Later

Most companies would work tirelessly on ideas before putting them into production. Jobs thought differently and would make decisions based on impulse instead of extensive studies, panels, or customer feedback. He knew that he needed to strike hard and fast to be at the forefront. The team could always alter a product later in the process or in the next version if need be.

This mentality worked well for Jobs, even when he changed his position on something. By moving fast and putting his full support behind the idea, he helped people forget his initial stance. This was the case with the Genius Bar: he called it a "stupid" idea, then immediately trademarked the name the next day.

Face Problems Head-on or Ignore Them Completely

They're two extremes, but in Jobs' mind, they're the only ways to deal with issues that get in your way. By facing problems head-on, you're able to adapt quickly and avoid spending time and effort on too much back-and-forth. On the other hand, inaction ultimately puts you in the position of power. It's bullish, but it's also an easy way to get things to go in your favor, especially if you're the only one with the final say.

One story goes that Jobs wanted a mouse that could move in all directions. When the engineer told him it wasn't possible, Jobs hired a new engineer for that role the next day. This positioned Jobs as a bully, yet he knew he had to be headstrong and push the envelope if Apple wanted to continue innovating. His polarized stance on problems ultimately helped Apple become the dominating force in the smartphone, tablet, and computer industries.

Strive for Perfection and Nothing Less

Jobs wasn't looking only to beat out the competition — he wanted to be at the top. This meant that he wasn't about to sacrifice quality to meet deadlines. The phrase "it's not possible" wasn't a way out. Whatever it was had to get done and done right, end of story.

This belief in perfection was directly in line with Apple's core values and their message to "think different." Jobs was notorious for badgering engineers, artists, agencies, and production lines, but it was all in pursuit of being the best. This dedication to its brand image is something that helped Apple become a cultural icon and tech giant the world over.

Although Jobs passed away back in 2011, his legacy still lives on through Apple. His personal beliefs helped him find resounding success in all that he did, from creating companies to changing people's minds. These lessons can also help you lead a life where nothing is impossible, especially if you think different.