Best Public Speaker Series: Studying Steve Jobs
- Oct 21, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
by Stephanie Bickel
Few business leaders have influenced modern presentations as much as Steve Jobs.
He had the ability to explain complex ideas with remarkable simplicity, tell memorable stories, and create presentations that people still study years later.
That doesn't mean he was a perfect speaker.
One of the reasons we feature Steve Jobs in our Best Public Speakers series is because he demonstrates something we tell leaders all the time. You don't have to be perfect to be incredibly effective.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Apple, is widely regarded as one of the most influential business communicators of his generation. His 2005 Stanford Commencement Address remains one of the most studied speeches in business communication.
Watch the presentation we reviewed: Commencement Speech at Stanford.
What Steve Jobs Did Well
Storytelling
Steve Jobs is often remembered as one of the greatest business storytellers of our time. Rather than filling his speech with advice, he shares three personal stories that illustrate larger life lessons. Each story builds naturally on the one before it, keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end. (0:47)
One of the reasons Steve Jobs' stories are so memorable is that he never tells them simply to entertain. Every story serves a larger leadership lesson. That's an important distinction. Great storytellers don't tell stories because they're interesting. They tell stories because they help the audience understand an idea.
Uses Governing Thoughts
Each story begins and ends with a simple, memorable idea. "Connecting the dots," "love and loss," and "death" become anchor points that help the audience follow his message and remember it long after the speech is over. This is an excellent example of using synthesized statements to organize a presentation. (0:55, 5:06, 5:37, 8:27, 9:04)
Uses Humor with Intention
Although the overall tone of the speech is thoughtful and reflective, Steve Jobs uses subtle moments of humor to surprise the audience and create connection. The humor never distracts from the message. Instead, it provides moments of relief before moving into the next story. (2:17, 4:37)
Creates Memorable Takeaways
Steve reinforces his message with short, memorable quotes that are easy to recall. Statements like "If you live each day as if it were your last..." and "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." give the audience simple ideas they can carry with them long after the presentation ends. (9:08, 14:08)
Maintains a Consistent Vocal Presence
Steve Jobs speaks with a calm, confident tone throughout the presentation. His vocal delivery matches the seriousness of the stories he is telling, adding credibility and emotional weight without becoming overly dramatic.
Where Steve Jobs Could Have Improved
One of the reasons we study great communicators is that even exceptional speakers have opportunities to improve. Steve Jobs was no exception.
Reduce Filler Words and Nervous Habits
At the beginning of the presentation, Steve occasionally uses filler words such as "uh" and touches his face several times. These are common nervous habits that can subtly distract an audience. Slowing down and becoming comfortable with silence would have strengthened an already strong opening. (0:26, 1:11, 5:48)
Increase Eye Contact
Much of the speech is delivered from a written manuscript. While Steve still creates a meaningful connection with the audience, more direct eye contact would have made the presentation even more engaging and conversational. (1:00, 1:37)
Continue Improving Your Leadership Communication
Your voice is only one part of becoming a more impactful communicator. The strongest leaders know how to use their voice, structure their message, tell compelling stories, and communicate with confidence in high-stakes moments.
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