For Steve, nothing is wasted, nothing is unnecessary. It doesn't happen by cramming in more, it happens through creativity and innovation, with a relentless pursuit of perfection. It means thinking through everything with the laser-focused goal of making it intuitive to the user.
Every leader and every manager wants his or her people to work together; all pulling in the same direction, supporting each other, everybody pitching in to do their part in achieving the goal of the group.
Steve would challenge his team to come up with completely fresh, original ideas. He had scoured the halls of Apple and elsewhere for people with the courage to be different, to be unconventional, to go beyond.
Although he operates from the gut level when hiring, he's also very thorough.
In searching for talent, you must not be put off by first impressions. You must find the real person, sometimes discovering a pirate where you least expected.
Most corporations acknowledge employees by holding a little celebration for birthdays, employment anniversaries and so on. But for a product-centric company like Apple, celebrations, rewards and recognitions are focused around the company's stars: its talent and its products.
Steve truly cherishes his people. It's not just that he knows he couldn't be doing all these great things without them: He lets his people know he knows. The lengths Steve goes to shower recognition, appreciation and reward on his people often left others in awe.