Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter is drawing a clear line between his leadership approach and the intense, always-on style made famous by his former boss, Steve Jobs. In a recent report by Fortune, Docter recalled how Jobs would often call employees at all hours, including 3 a.m. or during vacations, demanding immediate attention regardless of personal time or rest. While Jobs played a pivotal role in Pixar’s rise, Docter said he is consciously working to lead differently.
Jobs’ demanding hours, yet creative freedom
Steve Jobs bought Pixar from Lucasfilm in 1986 and helped turn it into an animation powerhouse with hits like Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Though known for his round-the-clock urgency, Jobs also had the restraint to let the animators lead the creative process. “Steve was pretty amazing at saying, ‘This is not my business,’” said Docter, adding that Jobs had a rare talent for quickly diagnosing problems even in unfamiliar territory. Pixar was eventually sold to Disney in 2006 for $7.4 billion.”He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing … sit for about five minutes and analyze what the conversation was really about,” Docter added.
Docter pushes back on ‘Always-On’ tech culture
While Jobs, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos have all been associated with a relentless work ethic. Musk once said, “Nobody ever changed the world with 40 hours a week.” Docter sees this mindset as harmful. He noted that the expectation to always be available can lead to burnout and stifle creativity. Despite occasionally slipping into late-night email habits himself, Docter said he’s trying to set a better example. “That’s what my wife’s trying to get me to stop doing,” he admitted. Docter believes that fostering healthy boundaries is essential for Pixar’s continued innovation and long-term success.