With what is sure to be millions of posts about the death and legacy of Steve Jobs (1955-2011), I contemplated whether I should even write on the topic. But, when I awoke this morning, it was clear to me what I felt I should share.

In recent memory, there is no single individual I can think of who has impacted “our way of life” the way Jobs has. His innovation and leadership at Apple have changed the way we listen to and buy music, the way we communicate. The technology and devices he invented are woven into the fabric of our culture.

No doubt, countless articles will be written about his technological contributions - Macintosh computers & GUI design, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, etc. More still will point to his inspirational life story - a child of adoption, turned college drop-out, turned inventor, innovator and entrepreneur, turned CEO, turned unemployed, turned entrepreneur, turned resurgent leader, turned business juggernaut…

But, to me, the part of Jobs legacy that doesn’t seem to get much attention is the ripple effect he has had OUTSIDE of Apple.

No one questions the direct impact that Jobs’/Apple’s innovations have had. What often gets overlooked is the amount of innovation that has occurred as a direct result of other companies attempting to keep pace, to compete with what was coming out of Apple.

Jobs’ ability to think outside the box was second to none, and what that did was provide others the inspiration - and permission - to do the same; it’s akin to the story of Roger Bannister, the first person to run the mile in under 4 minutes.

Bannister eclipsed the 4-minute mark (3 min 59.4 sec.) on May 6, 1954. It took only 46 days for Australian John Landy to break his record (3 min 57.9 sec.). Bannister simply demonstrated what was possible, opening the door for others to share in that vision of possibility. That is exactly what Steve Jobs has done for technological innovation.

Additionally, his mere presence on the scene made competition inevitable. He was the Michael Jordan of the tech world - most considered him “the best,” which motivated everyone else to “improve their game” in an attempt to compete with and potentially score a victory over him. The competition he inspired has driven innovation across the board.

What’s more, Jobs understood the importance of people in every aspect of the innovative process. People are the source of inspiration and ideas, the target of the end-product, the key resource needed to turn dreams into reality. He was all about culture - in design, in execution, in daily interactions. Ultimately, that focus - I believe - is what made Jobs truly great.

Don’t believe me? Then explain why there is a segment of the population who readily identify themselves as “Mac people.” That’s not an accident - it’s a cultural phenomenon. It demonstrates Jobs’ success in bringing culture into the “core” (pun intended) of everything he ever did.

In his commencement address to Stanford graduates in 2005, Jobs offered these sage words:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Jobs was an amazing individual who has left a legacy far greater than any product, any company. He inspired others. He inspired innovation. He inspired greatness. He inspired people.

Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. And, thank you for your contributions to making the world a better place.

Most people want a big title. It signifies their arrival on the business scene. It boosts their ego. It changes how others “see” them.

I was reminded through an experience yesterday, how much a title can actually be more of an obstacle than an asset.

And that is the problem.

The trouble with a title is that it immediately throws up boundaries and limitations. Instead of being fully present and focused on the individual and what he or she has to offer, your brain is busy adjusting expectations based on the person’s title (label).

One CEO requested branding & positioning documentation from the Marketing Department in preparation for an important meeting with an outside consulting group who was brought in to advise on an important project. One of the employees presented the information (which the CEO conceded was right on the mark), but because the individual carried a title that didn’t specifically (or implicitly) indicate expertise in “branding”, the CEO responded with a request for someone “better suited” to present the information.

You see, in the CEOs mind, the employee’s title disqualified him from being able to provide excellent information, or to add value. Discounting ideas, information, or feedback simply based on a person’s title significantly limits the potential of any organization. This is an especially important reality for leaders to pay attention to.

When titles become earplugs, the casualties include creativity, innovation, efficiency and growth.

How do you prevent yourself from falling prey to the tendency to let someone’s title influence your ability or willingness to listen openly, honestly, diligently and authentically to the person across from you?

Think of the most offensive word in the English language. Did you get it?

Here’s are some clues:

• It has 4 letters
• It starts with a “C”
• It ends with a “T”

Yep. You guessed it.

The most offensive word in the English language is… CAN’T!

That’s right. Can’t.

You see, the word “can’t” is an excuse. A cover-up for fear. A veil for self-imposed restriction or limitation.

Think about it: Have you ever been in a meeting where someone asks the question, “Why can’t we…” only to be followed by the 10,000 reasons everyone else in the room comes up with for why it “can’t” be done? Of course you have.

The very use of the word “can’t” triggers our brains to come up with an excuse, a limitation, an out.

Simply changing the words we use when we speak can have an incredible impact on how we live our lives, on the success and happiness we reap.

Let’s go back to our meeting from the example above. What happens if we flip “Why can’t we…” on its head? Instead, imagine the same meeting, but this time someone asks, “How CAN we…”

There is an immediate shift in the energy in the room and the thought patterns of everyone in it.

The room is now filled with people focused on creating solutions, dreaming up possibilities rather than restrictions, obstacles and excuses.

In a previous post, I referenced a maxim that my 7th grade history teacher passed on to me.

It’s as profound as it is simple: CAN’T means WON’T.

Think about that statement for a moment, and think about how many times a day you say, “I can’t.” Now, think about how many times you’re really trying to say, “I won’t.”

Everything is a choice. The word “can’t” simply represents your choice not to try, not to do. It’s a choice to put up walls, to limit yourself, to maintain the status quo (even if you loathe your current situation).

In what areas of your life or business do you find yourself continually saying “I can’t” and choosing defeat over growth and achievement? What can you do to eliminate “the most offensive word in the English language” from your vocabulary?

Hat tip to Jason Moffatt for inspiring the introduction to this post.

This weekend was the first time I actually felt old. Perhaps more accurately, I felt “old fashioned.”

My wife and I were music shopping on iTunes and noticed something; several songs in the Top 100 included “f**k” in the title.

• F**king Perfect, by Pink
• F**k You, by Cee Lo Green
• Tonight (I’m F**kin’ You), by Enrique Iglesias

Really? Has the level of lyrical talent and creativity dropped so low that “songs with swear words” is all that’s left?

I realize, it sounds kind of prudish to be bothered by the fact that so many songs have “f**k” in the title, but at the same time, when did it become en vogue to use a word that, when I was a kid (which wasn’t that long ago), was barely whispered, let alone used in the title of a song?

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t about censorship or regulation. It’s about a creative cesspool.

When did singers and songwriters stop using the amazing stories that life provides as their inspiration? When did they stop trying to move and inspire the listener? When did listeners decide that profanity and vulgarity was preferred over storytelling and stirring composition? (We’re voting with our wallets.)

Am I a prude? Am I on to something? What do you think?