37 Years Ago, Steve Jobs Said the Best Managers Never Actually Want to Be Managers. Science Says He Was Right

This article explores Steve Jobs' famous observation that the best managers are often those who never actually wanted to become managers, supported by scientific research on leadership effectiveness. The piece examines how reluctant managers tend to be more effective because they focus on serving their teams rather than wielding power, and how their initial hesitation often translates into more thoughtful, people-centered leadership approaches. The research validates the counterintuitive idea that those who seek management roles for the wrong reasons may be less effective than those who accept leadership responsibilities reluctantly.