One thing that he really forced down all our throats was the importance of taste. He knew what he wanted, and he made us all see how great it was.
Here's a clip from back in 1996, before his return to Apple, where he talks briefly about Microsoft, and in it you can really see his continuing obsession with making insanely great things: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upzKj-1HaKw
"The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste; they have absolutely no taste. And what that means is - I don't mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way - in the sense that they don't think of original ideas, and they don't bring much culture into their products .. And so I guess I am saddened, not by Microsoft's success; I have no problem with their success, they've earned their success, in the most part; I have a problem with the fact they make really third rate products."
I think the lesson is lost on many-- Steve Jobs wasn't great because he had great taste. He was great because he knew taste was important. I am not sure he even had great taste.. there are anecdotes from the early years that indicate that what he was great at was knowing who to hire who did have great taste.
But he new it was important, he always pushed to make things better....
Here's a clip from back in 1996, before his return to Apple, where he talks briefly about Microsoft, and in it you can really see his continuing obsession with making insanely great things: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upzKj-1HaKw