Perception Follows Presentation

“We may have the best product, the highest quality, the most useful software — but if we present them in a careless way, they’ll be perceived as careless. Present them creatively and professionally, and people will assume the same qualities about the product.”

Apple’s first investor, Mike Markkula, gave this advice to a young Jobs — and it became one of Apple’s lasting philosophies.

This isn’t just about products — it’s true for people too.

You can have great ideas, sharp skills, or deep character. But if you present yourself poorly, that’s all others will notice. People don’t see your intentions; they see your presentation. Perception follows presentation.

That insight changed how I show up. I started paying attention to how I wrote emails, structured my CV, or even dressed for casual meetings. It wasn’t vanity — it was stewardship. If the message matters, the medium must too.

When you take the time to present yourself well, people naturally take you more seriously. You don’t need to demand respect. You design for it.

# About the Book

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson is a deeply researched biography that traces the mercurial genius behind Apple. Drawing from exclusive interviews with Jobs and those who knew him best, Isaacson captures how Jobs fused artistry with technology — and how lessons like Markkula’s “Impute” philosophy shaped Apple’s obsession with presentation, design, and integrity.

Buy the book: https://jjude.zlynks.me/steve-jobs
Read my full review: Notes from 'Steve Jobs'

This is part of 100 Ideas That Shaped Me from Books I Read