Take Steve Jobs. He didn’t just give Apple employees instructions. He gave them a vision of what they could create. Jobs knew that people do their best work when they believe deeply in what they’re doing. And he proved this by turning a struggling Apple into a company that changed the world.

But Jobs’ story isn’t just about big wins. In 1985, Apple forced Jobs out. Imagine getting kicked out of the company you created. You might hide under your duvet forever. But Jobs didn’t. Instead, he built two new companies—NeXT and Pixar.

When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company was close to going broke. Employees were nervous, and investors doubted the company could survive. But Jobs had a different view. He saw an opportunity for Apple to change people’s lives with simple, beautiful technology. His belief was contagious.

Jobs started by launching the iMac. Bright colours, friendly design, people loved it. This product alone turned Apple around, and it set the stage for even bigger things: the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad.

How did Jobs inspire such powerful results? He understood something important: people need a purpose, not just a pay cheque. He pushed his teams to challenge themselves every day. Instead of playing safe, he asked questions that started with “what if?” or “why not?”. He encouraged curiosity and creativity. He knew people want to do meaningful work, not just complete tasks.

Jobs also knew inspiration needed clarity. He didn’t just say, “Make cool stuff.” He shared specific visions of how technology could change everyday life. People at Apple understood exactly why their work mattered. They knew how their contributions fit into the bigger picture, and that made them excited to get out of bed and create each day.

Think about your own team. Do they feel clear about why their work matters? Do you spark curiosity or just give them tasks to finish? Inspirational leadership means answering those questions every single day.

Here’s a quick test for you: ask your team if they know why they do what they do. If they pause or give vague answers, it’s time to reconnect them to the bigger picture. Clear purpose leads to stronger commitment.

Jobs didn’t always make friends. He expected a lot from people. Sometimes he pushed them harder than they liked. But even when things got tough, his team knew one thing for sure—Jobs believed in them. That belief gave people the courage to create things they’d never dreamed possible.

Imagine how your team would feel if they had that level of support. Imagine what they could achieve.

The most effective leaders find ways to inspire even during tough moments. Like Jobs returning to Apple at its lowest point. Instead of focusing on problems, he asked, “What amazing things can we build next?” That simple shift from problems to possibilities changed everything.

You don’t need to build the next iPhone to inspire people. You just need to understand what motivates your team. Maybe your team cares about helping customers. Or perhaps they love solving tricky problems. Whatever drives them, connect their daily tasks to that deeper purpose.

In my book Winning The Game, I share exactly how you can become this inspiring leader. I show you simple ways to communicate, engage people’s passions, and build teams who achieve more than they ever thought possible.

I wrote Winning The Game because I know inspiration changes everything. I’ve seen firsthand how teams transform when they truly understand their purpose and feel supported. If you want your team to feel energised and excited about their work, this book will give you the tools to make that happen.

Steve Jobs inspired teams to achieve extraordinary things by believing in them. He knew his team could change the world, even when they didn’t see it yet. His belief made people brave, creative, and committed.

You can do the same. It starts by giving your team something clear and meaningful to believe in. Then support them relentlessly as they pursue it.

Ask yourself now: what’s your team’s purpose? How clearly have you communicated it? If the answer isn’t crystal clear, now’s your chance to get it right. And if you need help creating this clarity, Winning The Game will guide you.

Great teams don’t happen by accident. They’re built by inspired leaders who know how to ignite passion in the people around them. Become that leader, and watch your team achieve more than you ever imagined.