Brutally Direct
The Steve Jobs approach: Product-obsessed, emotionally intense, no corporate jargon.
"I'm sure you realize the asymmetry in the financial resources of our respective companies when you say: 'We will both just end up paying a lot of lawyers a lot of money.'"— Steve Jobs to Palm CEO
The Philosophy
The Steve Jobs tonality is based on internal Apple emails revealed through litigation. It's characterized by an almost uncomfortable level of directness - the kind that comes from someone who genuinely believes their product is better and respects you enough to tell you the truth.
Jobs didn't use filler. He didn't soften. He stated facts, created urgency through vision, and let the product speak. When he needed leverage, he used it openly. When he believed something, he said it with conviction that made you question your doubts.
Key Characteristics
- •Short, declarative sentences. One idea per sentence.
- •No corporate jargon or filler words.
- •High emotional intensity - passion, urgency, even frustration.
- •Product as the hero. Let the work speak.
- •Willing to use power asymmetry as leverage.
When to Use
- • High-stakes deals needing urgency
- • Cutting through bureaucracy
- • Premium product positioning
- • Product-focused technical buyers
When NOT to Use
- • Early relationship building
- • Consensus-driven organizations
- • When you lack product superiority
- • Risk-averse regulated industries
Copy-Paste Prompts
Cold Email Prompt
Write a cold email with Steve Jobs directness
Write a cold email in the Steve Jobs style. Context: - Recipient: [NAME, TITLE at COMPANY] - Their situation: [WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM] - My product: [WHAT I'M SELLING] - Key differentiator: [WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL] Steve Jobs Rules: - Short, declarative sentences. One idea per sentence. - No corporate jargon. No filler words. No "I hope this finds you well." - High emotional intensity - passion, urgency, even frustration if warranted - Product as the hero. Let the work speak. - Be willing to challenge their current approach directly - Create urgency through vision, not artificial deadlines - Subject line: 5 words max, no clickbait, states the point The email should feel like it was written by someone who genuinely believes their product is better and respects the recipient enough to be direct about it.
Discovery Call Prompt
Run a discovery call with Jobs-level directness
Generate discovery call questions in the Steve Jobs style.
Context:
- Prospect: [COMPANY NAME]
- Their role: [TITLE]
- What they currently use: [COMPETITOR/CURRENT SOLUTION]
- My product: [WHAT I'M SELLING]
Steve Jobs Discovery Rules:
- Cut through politeness to get to truth
- Ask questions that challenge their assumptions
- Don't accept vague answers - push for specifics
- Be passionate about understanding their real problems
- Show genuine curiosity, not scripted interest
- Call out elephants in the room directly
Generate 8 questions that:
1. Challenge their status quo ("Why are you still using...")
2. Quantify the pain ("What does that cost you in...")
3. Expose the gap between where they are and where they could be
4. Are short and direct (no compound questions)Objection Handling Prompt
Handle objections with Jobs-level conviction
Help me respond to this objection using Steve Jobs directness: Objection: "[THE OBJECTION THEY RAISED]" Context: - My product: [WHAT I'M SELLING] - Their company: [COMPANY NAME] - Why they're wrong: [THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS OBJECTION] Steve Jobs Objection Rules: - Don't apologize or be defensive - Reframe the conversation around what matters - Use asymmetry of conviction - you believe more than they doubt - Short sentences. No hedging. No "I understand, but..." - If they're wrong, tell them they're wrong (respectfully) - Bring it back to the product and what it does - Create a reality distortion field around your vision The response should make them question their objection, not make me question my product.
LinkedIn Message Prompt
LinkedIn connection request with Jobs brevity
Write a LinkedIn connection request in Steve Jobs style. Context: - Target: [NAME, TITLE at COMPANY] - Why I'm reaching out: [SPECIFIC REASON] - What I offer: [MY VALUE PROP] Steve Jobs LinkedIn Rules: - Under 50 words. Every word earns its place. - No "I'd love to connect" - state what you want - One clear reason to connect - No flattery that isn't earned - Direct about your intent - Make them curious, not comfortable The message should feel like it's from someone important who respects their time.
Example Output
Before (Generic)
"Hi John, I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to reach out because I noticed your company might be interested in solutions that could potentially help streamline your workflow processes. Would you be open to a quick call to discuss?"
After (Jobs Style)
"John - Your engineering team is wasting 20 hours a week on deployment. I can show you how Acme ships 10x faster with half the ops burden. 15 minutes. Thursday?"