As Predicted, Jobs Gets "Smacked" for Comments

As predicted in my last post, the comments by Steve Jobs about other smart phones and their equally problematic design generated a lot of negative backlash from competitors. Blackberry and Samsung, among others, were quick to point out that their phones do not have the problem with the antenna and dropped calls that Jobs claimed to be common amongst smart phones. The others were likely irritated, but also delighted that Jobs gave them an opening to make comparisons against I-Phone.

This was a dumb statement by Jobs. Regardless of whether others have the same problem, it was tantamount to a kid coming home from school accused of cheating and who defends him/herself by saying that everyone does the same thing. Leaders are expected to live to higher standards and take responsibility for their actions and problems, not blame others. A quick news story has become a continuing investigation. Jobs stepped into this. He should not have and didn't have to. He acted like the class brain who when found to have made a mistake cannot take the criticism.

Apple is a leader and a leader should remain on the offense. It does not need to be defensive. Leaders have two moves; followers have just one. Apple had the ability to apologize, correct the problem, and stress the value of the I-Phone. Let competitors attempt to criticize the design. What Apple did was awful, because it "broke into jail" by allowing competitors an opening and a sense of parity. Apple simply needed to apologize, offer the casing to protect phones and eliminate the problem, and move on. Let competitors squeal about Apple's faults. Leaders move on.

Apple needs to mature. By that, I mean that Jobs needs to mature. He doesn't have to prove that he is the smartest kid in the class. He has shown that he is the most innovative and that customers love what he produces. All technology has problems. It is inevitable. Correct the problem and move on. Remain the leader. This is a far cry from what we would expect of a leading brand.