Founders Podcast Episode #390: Rare Steve Jobs Interview
Host: David Senra
Release Date: June 4, 2025
1. Introduction to the Episode and Interview Context
In this special episode of Founders, host David Senra delves into a rare 1985 interview Steve Jobs gave to Playboy magazine when Jobs was just 29 years old. This interview provides invaluable insights into Jobs' early vision for Apple and his unwavering commitment to excellence.
2. Common Traits of Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos: Pursuit of A-Players
David draws parallels between Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, highlighting their shared relentless pursuit of top-tier talent. Referencing Jeff Bezos' emphasis on hiring the best team as pivotal to Amazon's success, David underscores a similar sentiment from Jobs:
“I think I've consistently figured out who the really smart people were to hang around with. You must find extraordinary people. The key observation is that in most things in life, the dynamic range between average quality and the best is at most 2 to 1. But in the field that I was interested in, I noticed that the dynamic range between what an average person could accomplish and what the best person could accomplish was 50 or 100 to 1. Given that, you're well advised to go after the cream of the cream, you need to build a team that pursues the A players.”
— Steve Jobs (00:45)
3. Steve Jobs' Apple in 1985: Growth and Philosophy
David provides a snapshot of Apple's meteoric rise by 1984, transforming from a garage startup with $200,000 in sales to a $1.4 billion revenue powerhouse. At this stage, Jobs was one of the youngest individuals on Forbes' list of the richest Americans.
Importantly, Jobs emphasized that money wasn't his primary motivation. Instead, he was driven by a mission to revolutionize personal computing:
“He's on a mission, preaching the gospel of salvation through the personal computer. He's an engaging pitch man and never loses an opportunity to sell his products.”
— Host, David Senra (02:30)
4. Jobs' Vision on Computers: Historical Context and Future
Jobs drew a compelling analogy between the petrochemical revolution and the information revolution, positing that personal computers would have an even more profound impact on society. He envisioned computers as the most versatile tools, comparing their potential to that of the telephone or the internal combustion engine.
“Humans are tool builders. The computer is the best tool we've ever built.”
— Steve Jobs (07:15)
He further elaborated on the transformative potential of computers, emphasizing their ability to serve multiple functions—from writing and communication to artistic creation—all through software advancements.
5. Building Apple: Focus on Product Excellence
A recurring theme in Jobs' philosophy was excellence in product design and functionality. He articulated that:
“A small team of A plus players can run circles around a giant team of B and C players.”
— Steve Jobs (15:40)
This commitment to quality led Apple to prioritize creating products that deliver exceptional value, resulting in an impressive 99.9334% success rate in customer retention for products like Ramp, as highlighted by David.
6. Recruitment and Company Culture: Attracting 'Troublemakers'
Jobs believed in building a culture that attracted innovative and sometimes unconventional individuals—those he lovingly referred to as 'troublemakers'. These were the kind of visionaries who weren’t afraid to challenge the status quo and drive the company forward.
“We attract a different type of person, a person who doesn't want to wait five or 10 years to have someone take a giant risk on him or her. Someone who really wants to get in a little over his head and make a little dent in the universe.”
— Steve Jobs (25:10)
7. Steve Jobs' Early Life and Influences
David recounts Jobs' formative years, emphasizing his early exposure to technology and mentorship. Jobs' summer job at Hewlett-Packard at the age of 12 or 13 was pivotal, fostering his hands-on skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
“I picked up the phone and I called Bill Hewlett. He was listed in the Palo Alto phone book. He answered the phone himself... He gave me a summer job.”
— Steve Jobs (35:50)
These experiences ingrained in Jobs a deep appreciation for engineering excellence and practical problem-solving.
8. Jobs' Communication and Sales Philosophy
Steve Jobs was renowned for his charismatic communication and salesmanship. He believed that great products should speak for themselves, supported by massive advertising and effective marketing.
“Ad campaigns are Necessary for competition. Good PR educates people. That is all it is. You cannot con people in this business. The products speak for themselves.”
— Steve Jobs (12:20)
9. Insights into the Future of Computers: Jobs' Predictions
Jobs had a visionary outlook on the evolution of personal computers. He predicted a shift from computers as servants to computers as guides or agents, capable of anticipating user needs and facilitating more intuitive interactions.
“We just know there's something much bigger than any of us here. There is a revolution of free intellectual energy.”
— Steve Jobs (18:05)
He highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability in software, foreseeing the endless possibilities that updates and new applications would bring.
10. Conclusion and Key Takeaways
David Senra's exploration of this rare Steve Jobs interview offers a deep dive into the mindset and strategies that propelled Apple to success. Key takeaways include:
- Commitment to Excellence: Building and maintaining a team of top-tier talent is crucial.
- Visionary Thinking: Placing products within a broader historical and societal context can drive innovation.
- Customer-Centric Design: Simplifying user experience and eliminating hassles leads to greater product adoption.
- Cultural Fit: Attracting passionate, innovative individuals fosters a dynamic and forward-thinking company culture.
- Long-Term Vision: Anticipating future trends and adapting accordingly ensures sustained relevance and impact.
For those interested in the intricate details and direct insights from Steve Jobs' interview, it's highly recommended to listen to the full episode or access the Steve Jobs Archive as mentioned by David.
Timestamps
- 00:45: Steve Jobs on the importance of hiring A-players.
- 02:30: Discussion on Jobs' mission beyond wealth.
- 07:15: Jobs' analogy between petrochemical and information revolutions.
- 15:40: Jobs on small teams outperforming larger ones.
- 25:10: Attracting innovative 'troublemakers' to Apple.
- 35:50: Jobs' early experiences at Hewlett-Packard.
- 12:20: Jobs' philosophy on advertising and product excellence.
- 18:05: Jobs' predictions on the future role of computers.
Note: Timestamps correspond to the moments within the podcast where these topics and quotes are discussed.
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