Steve Jobs on Failure

The Santa Clara Valley Historical Association conducted an unscripted film interview with Steve Jobs in 1994. In this film clip from that interview, Steve discusses his thoughts on the topic of failure. This is a segment from the full unscripted interview.
Steve Jobs 1994 Interview
Interview date: November 11, 1994
Interviewer: John McLaughlin, Historian and President of the Santa Clara Valley Historical Association
Interviewer's question:
"Correct me if I'm wrong. When you were starting Apple, or maybe beforehand, the rumor that I heard was that you went to talk to like Gordon Moore and Bob Noyce, and at Xerox PARC. And actually, these doors were open to you, which is unusual. I believe it's unusual compared to other places in the world where you can call the CEO of a company and say . . ."
Transcript:
"I've actually always found something to be very true, which is most people don't get those experiences because they never ask. I've never found anybody that didn't want to help me if I asked them for help. I always call them up. I called up, this will date me, but I called up Bill Hewlett when I was 12 years old, and he lived in Palo Alto. His number was in the phone book. And he answered the phone himself and said, "Yes?" And I said, "Hi, I'm Steve Jobs. I'm 12 years old. I'm a student in high school, and I want to build a frequency counter. And I was wondering if you had any spare parts I could have." And he laughed and he gave me the spare parts to build this frequency counter, and he gave me a job that summer in Hewlett-Packard working on the assembly line putting nuts and bolts together on frequency counters. He got me a job in the place that built them. And I was in heaven. And I've never found anyone who said no or hung up the phone when I called. I just asked. And when people ask me, I try to be as responsive. You know, to pay that debt of gratitude back. Most people never pick up the phone and call. Most people never ask. And that's what separates sometimes people who do things from people who just dream about them. You've got to act, and you've got to be willing to fail. You've got to be willing to crash and burn, you know, with people on the phone, with starting a company, with whatever. If you're afraid of failing, you won't get very far."
For requests to use this copyright-protected work in any manner, email the copyright owner, Santa Clara Valley Historical Association. The contact information can be found on our KZbin About page.

[@RyanNagy]

Genius as always. One tiny correction. He said, "if you are afraid of failing you will not get very far." You can be afraid, but you have to be willing to act regardless. It is not the fear, it is the lack of action.

[@obinnaobiekwe4910]

Mmmh.... Interesting point. Sometimes though, it seems some things are rigged against me. The people I knew could help, when I did ask them, they started referring to my misdeeds as a child. Made me lose lots of confidence.

[@RyanNagy]

@@obinnaobiekwe4910 I feel you, man. I have relatives that like to point out things from 20 years ago. And they do not focus on who I am TODAY and all the cool things that I have done and can do.

[@isaacrobertson4374]

@RyanNagy Did you quote Batman begins 💀💀

[@RyanNagy]

@@isaacrobertson4374 hmmm...not consciously! Is there a similar quote from the movie?

[@farnsworthification]

"he said people never pick up the phone most people never ask" thats the fear hes talking about. the lack of action is this fear lol please your not corrrecting him lol pay attention to his whole speach. Its why people are afraid of public speaking----people afraid of folllowing up on job interviews- ect ect ect the fear causes people not to take action and progress. you have zero clue about human nature lol

[@starwalk3r]

There ARE people who would refuse to help if you asked for it. Those who refuse to help are sometimes the closest friends that you think you have. I've asked a "close friend" before on how to switch careers to a field that I knew his wife was good at. It was like pulling teeth to get any kind of information at all. I figured out later on that he didn't want me to change for the better. He wanted me to stay the same (who he thought I was), and stay at my socioeconomic level (which was much lower than his level). At one point, I told him that I hated being poor, and his response to me was "Being poor isn't that bad." And by the way, he's never been poor a day in his life. He liked the status quo as it was.

[@sun--shine3296]

I’ve had people keep me in the dark for their own status quo as well. I ditch those people without question now

[@tunezsky0x3]

People are not always there to help you

[@geejaybee1970]

It sounds like you should have been asking his wife and not him.

[@VidStudio.]

Right

[@YellowPaint100]

Spot on my man! In the last few years I've learned about narcissism. I was sooo surprised to learn that parents, siblings, & spouses can be guilty holding ppl back without the victims initially realizing it. These ppl are the closest to you & sometimes hate to see your progress because of their own limitations! Its really disgusting & repulsive to think the ppl that close to you would sabotage you in subtil & cunning ways, while still smiling in your face. But hey... now I know!

[@maddogoz08]

"if you're afraid of failing then you won't get very far" such a powerful statement, and very, very true. R.I.P Steve Jobs

[@white.berry_cgi]

Quintessential comment.

[@pokemonitishere202]

Rich people can explain about how to go to toilet & still be called meaningful.

[@skywatcher2025]

To anyone watching this for some motivation: You got this, don't worry. Just take a deep breath and one step at a time.

[@willhurst]

This is amazing. Love the nostalgia in the video itself but also in his story. What a small world it once was in the tech world.

[@kevinmcguinness6526]

This is unbelievably accurate. I have gotten so many opportunities (most of them in fact) but literally asking. If I come across someone that can help me, I literally just ask for their help in a polite way and they have pretty much all said yes. Most people just don't ask.

[@sebastianlarson6819]

any advice on how to do this? I'm 13 and trying to get a more prestigious software engineering internship after 3 years of interning and freelancing at small startups, have had a small amount of luck in the internship season with nothing working. I've had someone with a lot of following on LinkedIn make a post about my outreach and even admit that my email was better than most he gets. I sent at least 45 emails. Just tired now and feel like people aren't willing to take chances anymore (compared to old stories)

[@nathananderson8720]

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my KZbin channel 2 months ago about self development. Now I have 189 subs and almost 82 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I couldn’t have learned without getting started in the 1st place.

[@GggGgf-xs1nk]

2 months of progress And shrugging off the start (the hardest)

[@nathananderson8720]

@@GggGgf-xs1nk Thanks so much! I realized that the main reason for doing this is not about the success but the inspiration I've been providing some people with my stories while helping others do the same as I shared the lessons & experiences through making videos to have a sense of meaningful purpose. Therefore, I’m planning to quit nursing to pursue youtube full time as there are lots of issues in our traditional health systems as these don’t align with my values. It’s a huge learning curve but I love helping people through making videos. Also, as part of my video creation progress, I’m switching to a better editing software and a camera so the learning curve is much higher and slows down the completion speed of my next videos so please hang on tight! I do appreciate your support and kind words! I am hoping that you can join me with this endless personal development journey! :)

[@pranavnarayanan2005]

This is something I am fascinated by. Whenever I build up the courage and ask for help, there wasn't even a single time when someone hung up on me; I still wonder why many people have this resistance to not build up that courage. Thanks @SCVHA!

[@devil_1001]

after 11 years i found this masterpiece 🔥🔥

[@tb1690]

& 11 months later I found your comment 😄

[@ahmedmontasir3000]

​@@tb16901 month layer i found yours

[@alexgosling5550]

Really good advice. There are some people who refuse giving help, but it's still worth asking.

[@vladislavkaras491]

Greatly said! Thanks for sharing this part if interview!

[@userjalebi]

stumbled upon this video 12 years after its date of upload and at the right time when i needed to hear this

[@jpturner171]

Wow…so simple…and SO TRUE! RIP Steve!🙏🏽

[@RHS-992]

Probably the most valuable 2 minute video I ever watched..

[@kwamerogers142]

Idk how I discovered this on my feed this morning but man I’m so thankful to have found it

[@goldenratio_is_you]

The Evolution of Apple: Rare Vintage Photos from the Company's Early Days - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6TUYWawaseLZpY

[@adxo]

Huge inspiration, I look up to him so much. May he rest in peace.

[@GlazersOut]

Just call and ask people. Pure genius!

[@expatwealthasia8702]

This is gold dust. Thank you 🙏👏

[@OldParFan]

Thanks! Brilliant, profound, and very timely for anyone

[@g-randhawa8581]

A man who changed the whole dynamics of operating systems of cell phones and computers.

[@anthonyryan6208]

He needs no introduction

[@Taylor___]

Changed computing, tablets, phones, music and the entire way humans interact globally around the world

[@hoangpham3477]

by buying from Xerox lol

[@girngrodriguez5366]

lol@@anthonyryan6208

[@ilarionispas5104]

he copied everything, he is an overrated hoax

[@thecapone45]

It’s so hurtful in a very human way though when people do ask for help, and people are not willing to help or offer any advice, or just ignore them. I’ve had people ignore me, not get back with me, give me the run around, etc. Others have as well. I just learn from this and tell myself I will do better than them and be a better person than them.

[@6lackline445]

Thanks for posting this!

[@jupiterjohnson7191]

Thank you Santa Clara Valley Historical Association!

[@kevinmendoza7208]

life is about failing. If you are afraid of failing you won't get very far as he said. Everything you do in life you have to do it the best you can do so that you can achieve the most powerful side of yours

[@oma3015]

I just failed with my start up because of corporate corruption and saw this. He is so so right!

[@swdreambig]

thx for the upload.

[@jesseperrella]

This is wonderful, thank you for sharing. Steve Jobs speaks so elegantly about this.

[@LH74]

What a loss to humanity that he had to leave early. RIP Steve. 🖥️

[@stevechance150]

He was a turd that denied his own daughter.

[@umYOUhaveTOstudy]

There are many like him today and there always were and there always will be , just pick up the phone.

[@aaaaaa-hh8cq]

​@@umYOUhaveTOstudyyes.

[@chumcool]

All he had to do was ask for help and he would have beaten the extremely curable type of cancer that he had... But he didn't, and that's why he left "Early".

[@user-yo9pv1ni6t]

Poor Steve a complete failure, Slave of antichrsit , Did nothing NADA for Yeshua's Holy Kingdom

[@gertwallen]

Love it, the idea that you could find a phone number in a paper guide and just call asking for whatever. Those days where trust was existent were golden days, specially when compared to the world today

[@kingofdjembe]

You can still do it. There will always be reasons not to do things because it's more complicated today or more difficult for yourself than for others, or anything. Not doing things because of that is precisely what he's talking about.

[@IStMl]

stop finding excuses

[@shriharihudli8596]

@@kingofdjembeI agree you should still try, but he was just pointing out that it’s harder now because the world has become more hostile and less open and trusting.

[@Sirius_Blazing_Star]

Never Shun the Days of Small Beginnings; Love This ❤

[@365siddharth]

Thanks for the video..needed it

[@dawp9066]

Speechless! The bravery of this man since he was a kid!

[@tristramcoffin926]

The best part of this video is, 'Hello, I'm Steve Jobs. I'm 12 years old and and I'm in high school."

[@uytin99]

like wtf? that's grade 6

[@anthonyryan6208]

​@@uytin99 obviously he skipped 2 grades

[@joyhearrington8503]

Thank you so much for posting this clip. Failure and overcoming it are part of the design process. I think perseverance is the key to success. To hear Jobs say at 12, how he pursued his interests and how wonderful that man responded to Jobs' initiative is inspirational.

[@thelordrifai]

Thanks KZbin for putting this gem in my recommendations

[@AdamasOldblade]

There are people who totally think they are immune to failure and no matter how many times they stumble and fall they will always point fingers instead of take action. I really think it's a thinking problem with those people. You cannot reason with them once their ego is inflated to that level.

[@iLuvGaming]

I wish it was like this still, but even though social media has brought us together it also separates us; as a lot of people are dehumanized to others…most people are mean, ignore you, or you’re lost in the crowd

[@shriharihudli8596]

That’s mostly the fault of overpopulation, although technology is also to blame.

[@ai4human]

He have gone for some time now, still educate me. Thanks Steve.

[@GreatKnowledge-jb7bq]

Powerful words here. Thank you Steve Jobs, thank you the owner of this youtube channel.

[@superbn0va]

He seems like a genuine man

[@benjaminduval6054]

I agree with him regarding failure. My experiences requesting help have been quite the opposite.

[@e.g.4483]

That's the experience for most of us. He lived a sheltered life and didn't want to admit that

[@muhammedaasil969]

​@@e.g.4483 Personally, I think you guys are misinterpreting what he said. I mean, _he never said that you always get help when you ask for it, did he?_ So maybe he was just trying to tell us that we should always request help whenever possible, and that *most people* are willing to help. That's my two cents - spend 'em, or throw 'em away.

[@Better_Call_Raul]

@@e.g.4483 Jobs got it half-right. It is great to ask for help. But don't get discouraged by those who refuse to help. He left that important part out. Regardless of his sheltered life, I'm sure Jobs ran into some people who refused to help. Don't know why he chooses to lie about it here with this pollyanna fairy tale of everybody will help you if you just ask.

[@bazingapuzza]

​@@e.g.4483that's complety crap. You just want to stay in a bubble and blame others. In my case, it was the same as his experience. I have meet very nice people that help me out for many things ( and ofc, I was nice back ) and really changed my life. But it also depends where you live and which people you know. In Europe many people are friendly and altruistic.

[@11ICE]

I needed to see this.

[@davidlee50]

Thanks for the Video.

[@CodeWithBehram7497]

It's not about the fear of failing but it's about the situation, that everyone has a different situation and responsibility. If you don't have to really feed your family there is no responsibility to go earn and bring home just to survive, so you can go for it and start to build a company and a startup A company needs a clear, stressless, and comfortable environment and a consistent team.

[@sparkgrid]

11 years old and yet no comments at all!? Lemme fix that! Also Steve was undoubtedly one of the greatest people ever born, and his message here in this video is extremely true! You'll never get something until you ask for it, and if you sincerely ask for something, people would definitely help you :D

[@Gazeld]

False. Counter examples appear everyday.

[@sparkgrid]

@@Gazeld there are exceptions to everything my friend, but it's not false for the most part

[@pranavghag4709]

Thanks for a reminder 😊

[@swdreambig]

so valuable footage

[@august2589]

He did accomplish so much in Pixar and the creation of iPhones. Hill never be forgotten rest in peace.

[@anthonyryan6208]

He was involved with pixar?

[@tusharbansal75]

@@anthonyryan6208 yes

[@wotizit]

​@@anthonyryan6208yes

[@blacklight8932]

​@@anthonyryan6208very much actually

[@Yeedo420]

@@anthonyryan6208he was one of the founders

[@eduardovc4527]

Certainly some people can help, but most often most people just don't Only if you have something to give back to them That's certainly not what I experienced in my own life when I needed help from other people and "close friends" for example

[@e.g.4483]

A lot of people are selfish and don't want to see others succeed. Jobs didn't want to admit how much of his life's success was really just luck.

[@Scampi95]

Gold. Absolute gold.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

Wish i had a teacher like the guy he called.

[@JohnnyCBCS]

Rest in Peace Steve, this interview was only one of the many good things that you did for the whole world

[@stith_pragya]

Thank You So Much for this wonderful video..........🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thepolymathacademy4891]

The art of receiving & realising people like to help passionate individuals, aka people who listen to them deeply & makes them want to pass on the baton of wisdom, that can serve you well, and in some way you can give back with other things you know.

[@yudisenpai]

00:06 🗣Don't hesitate to ask for help; most people are willing to assist when asked. 00:19 📞Steve Jobs called Bill Hewlett at 12 for spare parts, leading to a job offer; taking initiative can lead to great opportunities. 01:02 💪Taking action separates doers from dreamers; don't be afraid to fail or face challenges when pursuing your goals.

[@yudisenpai]

@@northyland1157 this mindset is what makes you aren't successful yet.

[@williamcolon9280]

"Debt of grattitude".... its rare to see a man of great moral character in high places..

[@mushavangatieniearbenie9835]

Motivating

[@backvolt]

THE BEST Advice IVE GOTTEN From the internet

[@gowtham8909]

12 yr old highschooler???

[@Korupshenv1]

This video changes my perspective. Probably one of the most pivotal moments in my life. Thanks Steve!

[@shen4379]

Really?

[@Korupshenv1]

Absolutely! I have been extremely introverted my whole life and just try to figure things out on my own. Asking for help on something is like a shortcut to something you want to accomplish. It’s a shift in perspective for sure.

[@shen4379]

​@@Korupshenv1 Thank you for responding on such short notice! I asked because I'm also extremely introverted as well and I'm usually reluctant to ask for help. What Jobs said resonated with me a lot since I don't really ask questions and I *hate* failure, even though I understand the necessity (and inevitability) of it and that trying to be as perfect as possible is a pointless endeavor. Despite knowing this, it doesn't make it any easier to accept it.

[@mbuso.rsa777]

In my recommended 11 years later❤😊

[@asdxczxsdvzxc]

Best life advice ever.

[@hum1st]

this guy never faild ,even at his cancer report

[@xxyanlixx]

Steve Jobs is not "us"... He is the founder of Apple for a reason, albeit his story-telling skills, or his charm. It's hard to reject this guy.

[@allihhussainmazari168r]

Such a great man. So humble so full of life

[@nmnxe]

Always a beautiful memory in our hearts ❤

[@edwardrook8146]

I wish I could have been alive in those years. The world sounds like it was so much better back then- people just try to put you off and say no nowadays.

[@starwalk3r]

My thought exactly.

[@anthonyryan6208]

Be the change you want in the world

[@starwalk3r]

@@anthonyryan6208 This world is going straight to hell.

[@johng7423]

This is nonsense I tried to call Steve Jobs last week and he didn’t answer the phone, unbelievable.

[@h.zproking5931]

He is dead

[@synxairedYu]

Спасибо за ещё одну рабочую связку

[@wayne3757]

Steve is my biggest inspiration, thanks to all 🍎

[@TheRealOnlineBabbler]

The only people who never fail are the ones who never risked anything.

[@HiltTilt]

12 year old in HS? 😅

[@garrisondinsmore5808]

I will try and do this thank you Steve

[@vigov2012]

His success is to create a team of like-minded people. The ability to unite is always rewarded.

[@e.g.4483]

LOL There are plenty of selfish, insecure, immature, and nasty people who will DEFINITELY refuse to help you if you ask. Or worse, abusers who take advantage of someone in need who asks for help. Jobs was very privileged in many ways, and he lived in a such a privileged bubble he never saw how lucky he was and how much of his situation was merely due to fortunate circumstances and luck. He genuinely thought that everything he got he earned and deserved, even if it was at someone else's expense (like the time he stabbed Wozniak in the back to make a small sum of money just because he could). Jobs was an entitled narcissist.

[@Better_Call_Raul]

True. Jobs is half-right. It is great to ask. But also be prepared for those that refuse to help. And don't be discouraged by that. That should have been his message. Don't know why Jobs chooses to blatantly lie here with this pollyanna bullshit of everybody out there is going to help you.

[@AnitaJonse]

Despite all the financial struggles i and my family faced, everything is finally falling into place! $47,000 weekly profit and riches I'll always praise the Lord

[@reed229]

Same here, with my current portfolio made from my investments with my personal financial advisor I totally agree with you

[@QueenElizabeth-mh5ll]

Wow! Kind of in shock you mentioned expert,elizabeth ann graney. What a coincidence!!

[@harlenajones5721]

Elizabeth Ann has really set the standard for others to follow, we love her here in the UK as she has been really helpful and changed lots of life's

[@Evansdavis568]

Life is easier when the cash keeps popping in, thanks to Elizabeth Ann graney services. Glad she's getting the recognition she deserves.

[@Jamesphilip-jz8wh]

I use to work 3 jobs, full time at Walmart, a server at night and Lyft on the weekend, untill Elizabeth Ann graney change my story.

[@Bay2LeQue]

"Ask and you shall receive."

[@djmoodfrequency]

I met this man in 1987 - he and I sat down and talked for 30-45 minutes. He offered me a job. What stopped me? We talked about my future and I said I was enrolled in college and he was disappointed. I now am also!

[@Sirius_Blazing_Star]

Failure is the best teacher 💯

[@arnoldsoko]

thanks Steve. especially the last part

[@elakstein]

This is in my recommendation after 11 years. The point is deep. Most of the egoistic and don't want to ask for help until it's the last thing that they can do.

[@Eswar.]

this is gold

[@stillthesane]

Thank you, Steve.

[@Yeahmansingh]

thank you

[@pandsu_kunjuttan]

Pure Gem 💎

[@BijouBakson]

thk u 4 this

[@cledo44]

Great advice!

[@yadugopakumar]

Thank you Steve🙏

[@abdullohumarr]

Thank you Steve!

[@wildenthusyang4398]

This vid gave me motivation midnight at 3 am dawg

[@brianglass8310]

12 years old in high school, sounds like a real story for sure

[@Lovelle1]

While also working in a factory during his summer vacation. Truly an inspiration.

[@TrollHunterxXx]

That’s an incredible story. Thanks

[@Yupperzzzz]

Thx this helped

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Thank you Chris Haroun.

[@donaldkim7995]

My only issue is his comment that he's never found people who said "no" or hung up the phone when he called. Rejection is a form of failure, and something we can all learn from and grow beyond. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of Steve Jobs, but I do like most of his comments on this topic.

[@abhishekvanenooru2869]

BRO THANK YOU

[@_N0_0ne]

Thank you kindly

[@dg_dotnet9616]

Beautiful speech

[@Manmade023]

Thank u sir👑