The aggressive and demanding personality Steve Jobs is listed as either primary inventor / co-inventor in over 230 awarded patent applications related to a range of technologies from actual computer and portable devices to user interfaces, speakers, keyboards, power adapters, staircases, clasps, sleeves, lanyards and packages.
Jobs’ is known for his convincing power, his creativity. His brilliance in business is apparent in his well celebrated achievements in information technology across three decades of work. Fortune Magazine wrote that he “is considered one of Silicon Valley’s leading egomaniacs”.
In recent years, Jobs has been fighting with a rare form of pancreatic cancer adding to an epic life story that mirrors the story of the spectacular success of Apple itself. Now when he stepped down as Apple’s CEO, to remain as Chairman of the Board, it is analogous in IT as if Sachin Tendulakar has left playing cricket.
The Macintosh computer – which brought the mouse-driven, graphical user interface to pominence, Pixar Animation Studios – which produced Toy Story, the first fully-3D-animated feature film, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad – and who knows what’s next? all owe credit to Jobs’ leadership and invention.
A story (Icon Ambulance) to share by Vic Gundotra – Senior Vice President, Engineering, Google
One Sunday morning, January 6th, 2008 I was attending religious services when my cell phone vibrated. As discreetly as possible, I checked the phone and noticed that my phone said “Caller ID unknown”. I choose to ignore.
After services, as I was walking to my car with my family, I checked my cell phone messages. The message left was from Steve Jobs. “Vic, can you call me at home? I have something urgent to discuss” it said.
Before I even reached my car, I called Steve Jobs back. I was responsible for all mobile applications at Google, and in that role, had regular dealings with Steve. It was one of the perks of the job.
“Hey Steve – this is Vic”, I said. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your call earlier. I was in religious services, and the caller ID said unknown, so I didn’t pick up”.
Steve laughed. He said, “Vic, unless the Caller ID said ‘GOD’, you should never pick up during services”.
I laughed nervously. After all, while it was customary for Steve to call during the week upset about something, it was unusual for him to call me on Sunday and ask me to call his home. I wondered what was so important?
“So Vic, we have an urgent issue, one that I need addressed right away. I’ve already assigned someone from my team to help you, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow” said Steve.
“I’ve been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I’m not happy with the icon. The second O in Google doesn’t have the right yellow gradient. It’s just wrong and I’m going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?”
Of course this was okay with me. A few minutes later on that Sunday I received an email from Steve with the subject “Icon Ambulance”. The email directed me to work with Greg Christie to fix the icon.
Since I was 11 years old and fell in love with an Apple II, I have dozens of stories to tell about Apple products. They have been a part of my life for decades. Even when I worked for 15 years for Bill Gates at Microsoft, I had a huge admiration for Steve and what Apple had produced.
But in the end, when I think about leadership, passion and attention to detail, I think back to the call I received from Steve Jobs on a Sunday morning in January. It was a lesson I’ll never forget. CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday.
To one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever met, my prayers and hopes are with you Steve.
Steve’s Stanford Address on June 12, 2005
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