Steve Jobs announced his resignation as Apple’s CEO yesterday. He asked to remain as Chairman and the board quickly agreed. I, for one, am thrilled that one of the most successful trailblazers of our time will stay on. Aren’t you?
Full disclosure: although I was late to the game, I’m now a total Apple geek and proud of it. Why? Apple products work. They’re beautiful. And they’re fun. Work can be both productive and fun. Who knew? Thank you, Mr. Jobs.
I don’t know Steve Jobs. Never met the man, and probably never will. But I admired what he’s done with his life and his gifts long before I bought my first iPhone. Jobs is living proof that what matters most is not the circumstances into which you were born, but how you live.
He’s made no secret of his views on How to Live Before You Die. If you haven’t seen this video of his Stanford University commencement speech, please watch. One way to achieve great things in this world is to learn from great people who have already done something you admire. Steve Jobs certainly qualifies, don’t you think?
Jobs has been called The Patron Saint of Perfectionists, which is a euphemism for a driven guy who puts perfection above comfort — his own and others. He’s been called mercurial, demanding, relentlessly driven. Most trailblazers are thus described. Many people don’t appreciate such determined focus and the impassioned temperament that often comes with it. Many folks are satisfied with “good enough.” Steve Jobs, obviously, is not.
Be honest: As a consumer, wouldn’t you rather have a product that works perfectly, looks great, and gives you pleasure as well as functionality and great service? Or would you rather have something produced by a “nice person” who thinks their product is “good enough”?
I switched to Mac after five years-worth of “affordable” laptops that cost me hundreds in repairs, virus protection and software. I haven’t had a single problem with this trusty Mac *known on keyboard*. I’ll buy cookies, soap even calendars I’ll never use from people purely because of their kind disposition…but computers? Not so much. Cheers to Steve Jobs and all he’s done.
Thanks for the terrific post, Diane!
So true, August! Now, if they can combine “nice” with “perfect” wouldn’t that be a winning combo….
Thanks for the share!
Nancy.R