Apple: The enduring legacy of its 1981 corporate values

The foundational principles of Apple, documented in the 1981 ‘Apple Values’ memo, continue to influence the company’s internal philosophy more than forty years later. Created as part of the ‘Apple Quality of Life Project,’ the document was designed to maintain cohesion as the company transitioned from a small startup into a rapidly expanding corporation.

The values emphasize ambitious goals, collective responsibility, and a commitment to making a societal difference alongside generating profit. The principles reflect influences from the Californian counterculture and the ‘Whole Earth Catalog,’ embodying a spirit of creativity and shared adventure. These guidelines were intended to define the unique identity of the company by establishing the standards and customs that guide how employees work and interact.