No Jobs At Apple?

I feel strangely compelled to post my own thoughts on the flurry of press surrounding the announcement today that Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, is taking a medical leave of absence.



I joined Apple in 1991, well after Sculley and crew had ousted Jobs. I'd been a mac user for at least 6 years by then, and it was a joy to find myself working there. I proceeded to spend the next 10 years at Apple, I left but sill but contracted a bit, and returned full time again in 2005. Between 1991 and my departure in 2000, Sculley was replace by Spindler, who was replaced by Amelio, who was summarily ousted by Jobs after Apple bought Next.



I don't think anybody can begin to understand what an exciting and invigorating time it was to work at Apple during Steve's return. I have numerous stories of encounters and observations that I'll save for another time, but having him return and take the reigns was a one of a kind experience and something I'm glad I got to see first hand.



Steve sightings were not uncommon, and you'd see him once a week or more, getting lunch, walking in or out of IL1, talking with people here or there, hell I even wrote about the time I almost bumped into him while I was sporting a chinese made ipod shuffle rip-off. I've seen him frequently over the past couple of years, and yes, noticed his weight loss along the way.



I don't have any insider information and I've not seen or been told anything that hasn't found it's way into the press likely well before I learned it. I know what you know. And I've been reading a wide range of speculation about the future of Apple tonight.



Here's the thing I want to say: Apple became "Apple" when it was started by Steve and Woz, and was still Apple before Steve returned. Yes, it was in trouble at the time, and he turned it around and made it what it is today. Nobody can deny that, or that he's enabled Apple to accomplish things far beyond what anybody could have imagined at the time. His leadership and vision has expanded Apple into realms never considered possible. But well before then, even though there were way too many products and a staggering lack of direction and leadership, there was a culture and a community around Apple's products that was passionate and dedicated, and there was innovation and imagination in all that we did.



So after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, undergoing surgery, and now dealing with further medical issues, he's taking time to focus on his health. Sure, there's all this press about what's really wrong and is he lying and are things worse. I believe, unlike some, that his medical specifics are private matters and not something he's required to report on in great detail.



It's quite sad to think about Apple without Steve at the helm, because it's become so commonplace to look at it that way, and it represents an end of an era of sorts. I hope he is able to address his medical issues in positive ways. I like to think he'll rebound and return soon, but ultimately, it was and is inevitable that he'll step aside at some point. When has always been the question. Back in 1998, we rejoiced that he was stepping in to help save our sinking ship. Then we applauded his removing the 'i' from iCEO to take it on full time. We'd hear speculation that he'd eventually go to Disney, or would be unable to split time between Pixar and Apple, but those things never happened. Instead, change happened, in ways that set the bar and tone that had not existed before. And in ways that are now ingrained in how Apple does what it does, far better than it did before his return.



I've heard references of his return to Apple being akin to getting a child back that he'd lost in it's infancy. Apple has long been seen as "his baby" which had been taken away from him, and when he came back, it was as if he had a chance to complete something he hadn't been allowed to so many years before. Having been at Apple through those times, I feel confident in saying that he's accomplished the task of getting his child back on the right path, teaching it to be self-sufficient, and passing along his heartfelt values and beliefs as well.



What Apple is today is what I expect Apple will be for years and years to come.

The View From Here Is Spectacular

I imagine that everybody, at one time or another, encounters difficulties or challenges in life. I've had my ups and downs throughout my life, but on a global scale, I don't really know what real adversity is. People working diamond mines in Africa or struggling through droughts and famine.... they know fear and pain I have never even come close to. So when life throws something unexpected at me, such as an issue I've been facing recently that a few friend know the details of, perspective is a good thing. That, and the pride of making a choice. In situations such as one I'm in right now, some people might throw their arms up in defeat, resolve to bear grudges or even retaliate in negative ways, and some people embrace the opportunity to step up to the plate, accept a challenge, put their best foot forward and take the high road. That's what I'm doing. And even though I may not know what awaits me on the other side, it feels good to have chosen this path.