Steve Jobs credited his father, Paul, for instilling in him a commitment to excellence.
Biographer Walter Isaacson recalled how Paul taught Jobs to build a fence with equal attention to detail on both visible and hidden parts, emphasizing, “Even though nobody will see it, you will know.”
This lesson shaped Jobs' perfectionism at Apple, where he demanded high-quality craftsmanship, from microchip aesthetics to screw plating. Jobs likened it to carpentry, insisting that even the unseen back of a chest must be flawless.
This dedication to detail became a cornerstone of Apple’s success, influencing its renowned focus on quality and design.