Go read the biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

What better way to ring in the New Year than a discussion of Steve Jobs?  A man who changed the world of technology, corporate branding and industrial design should be celebrated as the calendar turns over and a new year of opportunity is presented to us.

I’ve long been a fan of Steve Jobs even though I have never had a particular affinity for his products.  He took no prisoners in his quest to make Apple the greatest company in the world.  He led based on his beliefs and not those of anyone else.

When he died in 2011 I resolved not to read his biography until some time had passed.  I didn’t want the emotions of the moment to overly influence my opinion of the story of his life.  I’m thankful for the 2 year gap since it was published before I read it because I believe it was more powerful for the time separation.

I had previously read Isaacson’s biographies of Einstein and Ben Franklin and both were astonishing in not just telling the story of the person’s life but for presenting motivations and weaknesses as clearly as the successes and strengths.  There is no difference here except that Steve Jobs clearly had more weaknesses than others who get biographies.  But his weaknesses commonly became his strengths as well.  If I had not waited to read this biography the weaknesses may have not come through as strongly.

What I took from the story was more about how weaknesses do not have to be crippling just as strengths are not always benefits.  The story of Steve Jobs is as much about persistence, timing and passion as it is of a trailblazing technology tycoon.  He created the most loved company in the world while developing products that are second to none.  His attention to detail is legendary.

In 10 years we may look back at this biography as a classic business school case study simply because of how much it touches on every classic business topic.