Steve Jobs famously broke conventions during his lifetime, reshaping industries and emphasizing creative thinking. His philosophy on creativity reveals that true innovators don’t follow the rules, they learn when and why to break them. Reflecting on his lessons, I see parallels with my own entrepreneurial journey, especially in disrupting traditional approaches in industries ranging from education to deeptech.
In Jobs’ view, creativity thrives when individuals reject dogmatic norms and seek their unique paths. Instead of adhering to established systems, creative people identify obsolete rules and bypass them to unlock breakthroughs. Let’s explore the five conventional rules that he believed limit innovation, based on insights from his talks, interviews, and the decisions he made at Apple.
1. “Fit in and Follow Rules”
One of the most stifling expectations for creative minds is conformity. Jobs once described Apple as a place where misfits and rebels could thrive, unapologetically celebrating those who viewed the world differently. He encouraged employees to challenge systems rather than follow them, which led to distinctly original products like the iMac and iPhone.
Breaking this rule in your business could mean asking: Why should this standard exist? For me, when I was developing the gamified Fe/male Switch startup platform, I refused to follow outdated educational methods that didn’t engage learners effectively. By gamifying entrepreneurship, we carved out a unique niche.
2. “Don’t Ship Until It’s Perfect”
Perfectionism kills momentum. Jobs often stressed the importance of starting before everything feels ready. He famously said, “Real artists ship,” pushing his teams to launch products and refine them based on user feedback. While polish is essential, relentless tweaking delays innovation and keeps valuable ideas out of the market.
When creating CADChain’s software solutions, there were moments when I felt tempted to hold off until every small issue was resolved. But by releasing versions early, we gained real-world insights that informed future updates, making the software better with each iteration. This approach keeps both businesses and customers moving forward.
3. “Stick to Industry Norms”
Jobs’ vision extended far beyond the conventions of the tech world. He rejected assumptions about what consumers wanted and pushed for bold ideas that didn’t align with current trends. The result? Apple didn’t just create computers, it redefined them. The same mindset led to innovations like the iPod, breaking the mold of portable music players.
For entrepreneurs today, this principle is a reminder to step outside the boundaries of what’s been done. When I was navigating partnerships for CADChain, I deliberately targeted industries beyond tech, such as manufacturing and intellectual property protection. This opened doors that conventional thinking would have closed.
4. “Prioritize Short-Term Gains”
True creatives prioritize long-term impact over immediate profits. Jobs was known for investing in ideas that others deemed unprofitable, trusting that they would connect to a bigger picture in time. Case in point: the iTunes store was not immediately lucrative but built the foundation for Apple’s dominance in digital content.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve often encountered pressure to chase immediate revenue. Yet, with Fe/male Switch, I focused on creating a sustainable, impactful learning platform over satisfying short-term demands. The broader value of investing in the future often outweighs quick gains.
5. “Success Requires Complete Clarity”
Jobs argued that clarity isn’t a prerequisite for creativity. He famously spoke about connecting the dots only in hindsight, emphasizing faith in the creative process. Whether you’re launching a startup or designing a product, ambiguity is inevitable, and that’s okay.
When I started my entrepreneurial career, I, too, faced uncertainty about where specific decisions would lead. Yet trusting in the learning curve, while staying adaptable, enabled me to build multiple businesses, collaborate across industries, and secure international partnerships.
How to Think Like a Rule-Breaker
- Question Systems: Always evaluate why certain norms exist. Disruptive ideas often arise when you challenge an outdated assumption.
- Act Early: Whether it’s a product or service, don’t wait until it’s flawless. Test it in real scenarios and let feedback guide your next steps.
- Explore the Outliers: Seek inspiration from other industries or disciplines, just as Jobs merged technology with art.
- Say No to the Unessential: Creativity thrives when you’re selective about what you pursue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-planning: Obsessing over perfection wastes time. Know when something is “good enough.”
- Ignoring Feedback: Creative people thrive when they listen to others and refine their ideas.
- Fear of Standing Out: Breaking rules means attracting attention, good or bad. Steer into this with confidence.
Breaking the conventional rules outlined above requires courage, but it’s essential for anyone looking to create something original. Steve Jobs’ success was built on this ethos, and his example resonates with entrepreneurs across industries. In my experience, these principles still hold true, especially in fast-evolving sectors like technology and education.
If you’re ready to adopt a similar approach to your work, embrace the discomfort of questioning norms. And remember: creativity isn’t about compliance, it’s about crafting a new rulebook altogether.
FAQ
1. What did Steve Jobs believe about conformity in creativity?
Steve Jobs believed that conformity stifles creativity. He encouraged questioning norms and celebrated misfits and rebels who thought differently. Explore Jobs’ thoughts on misfits
2. Why did Steve Jobs emphasize shipping products early?
Jobs emphasized the importance of launching products early to gather user feedback and improve iteratively rather than waiting for perfection. Learn about Jobs’ view on perfectionism
3. How did Jobs challenge industry norms?
Jobs pushed Apple to focus on creating bold, innovative products that redefined industries instead of sticking to existing trends. Check out Steve Jobs' radical rules for innovation
4. Why did Steve Jobs de-emphasize immediate profits?
He prioritized long-term impact over short-term gains, believing that true innovation connects with a bigger picture over time. Read about Jobs' approach to long-term gains
5. What was Steve Jobs’ perspective on ambiguity?
Jobs believed that clarity isn’t a prerequisite for creativity and encouraged trusting the process despite uncertainty. Discover Jobs' insight on embracing ambiguity
6. How did Steve Jobs push for simplicity in design?
Jobs called simplicity "the ultimate sophistication" and built Apple’s products with minimalist and user-focused designs. Learn about Jobs’ design philosophy
7. Did Jobs believe failure was important for innovation?
Yes, Jobs saw failure as a vital part of the creative process and encouraged learning from mistakes rather than fearing them. Explore Jobs' thoughts on learning from failure
8. How did Jobs’ philosophy influence Apple’s partnerships?
Jobs encouraged thinking outside tech industry norms, expanding partnerships to adapt unique solutions beyond traditional sectors.
9. What role did Jobs’ risk-taking attitude play in his success?
Jobs believed taking bold risks was necessary for significant breakthroughs and innovation. Read about Jobs on taking risks
10. How does Steve Jobs’ breaking-rule mindset apply to entrepreneurs today?
Entrepreneurs can learn from Jobs by questioning norms, focusing on long-term impact, and remaining adaptable during uncertainties. Learn how Jobs’ legacy inspires entrepreneurs
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.