By Marty Cagan · svpg.com · LinkedIn
Marty Cagan pays tribute to Steve Jobs following his death, calling him arguably the greatest figure in the product world. He credits Jobs with tackling very hard problems and producing products that defined their categories and changed the world. Cagan argues that a string of such products can define an icon and a company, citing Apple's status as the most valuable company. While he believes Jobs cannot be replaced, he suggests his lessons can be learned and his passion can continue. The piece matters to product people as a reflection on what great product leadership looks like and how its lessons can be carried forward.
01Key takeaways
- Great product leaders tackle genuinely difficult problems rather than incremental ones.
- A stream of category-defining products, not just one, is what builds lasting impact.
- Teams can keep a departed leader's standards alive by asking how that leader would decide.
- A leader's specific genius may not be replaceable, but the principles behind it can be studied and applied.
02Key sections
- A tribute to Jobs
- Cagan opens by naming Steve Jobs as the greatest in the product world, comparing him to a legendary athlete in another field.
- Why his work mattered
- Jobs solved immensely difficult problems and created products that defined categories and changed the world, which is what makes a career and an icon.
- Life without Apple
- Cagan admits he cannot imagine a world without Apple and is grateful it still exists, pointing to employees who have been preparing for this moment.
- Carrying the lessons forward
- Cagan believes Jobs himself cannot be replaced, but his lessons can be learned and his passion can live on, offering condolences to those who worked with him.
03From the post
“A partnership dedicated to teaching best practices to product teams and product leaders”
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.