Different roles and positions require different approaches to getting things done. CEOs are ultimately in charge of everything that happens in a business but depending on the size of the business, the current business cycle and the degree of autonomy leaders under them have they may not choose to dictate how things are done. Many very effective leaders choose to drive action through influencing the behavior of those under them instead of forcing them to do things a certain way.
There are clear differences between telling someone to do something a certain way and making recommendations but leaving the ultimate decision to that person. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, some leaders are more prone to a certain style of management. Some, like Steve Jobs, have a desire to control the entire situation and drive their team in the direction of their desire. Others foster a greater degree of entrepreneurialism and let their teams set their own direction while putting in checks and balances to measure performance.
Then there are people who want to manage through control but don’t have the personality to make it successful. Many, many leaders have tried to emulate Steve Jobs only to discover that their teams rebelled or quit instead of following along. Similarly, many leaders have given their teams autonomy only to discover that their teams immediately and spectacularly fail, bringing everything down. Management style is as much about the managee as the manager.
As with so many things, the correct answer changes with time, team and goals. It takes true self-reflection and understanding to always get the right answer – and it is practically impossible to always get the right answer. Steve Jobs had to first fail at Apple with his management style before coming back to succeed. The past is not necessarily an indication of what the future holds.