I recently finished reading iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business. I must say that it is definitely a captivating book. As the life of Steve Jobs unfolds in the book, you would definitely like to know more and more about him. There is no doubt that he has been among the greatest innovators of this century. He revolutionized three different industries- Computer, Movies and Music. No one, before him, ever thought of making a personal computer (which is now iMac), neither anyone ever thought of making a full animation film with computer graphics (Toy Story - First 3D animation movie) and same was with iPod. Following his instincts and passion, he founded three companies Apple, NeXT and Pixar. Although, he got defeats and humiliations on the way but finally he has managed to make a distinct space.
But the book also covers the negative sides of Steve Jobs, how he never stepped back from taking credits of other’s work, how he bent things in his favor by his cunning business acumen, how he cheated people to win the corporate races, how he disowned his own daughter (later he took her in his life) and so on.
After finishing the book, I pondered over his life and personally felt that he was not an evangelist as he was purported by himself. But he was surely a charismatic leader who enticed people to fall in his passion and innovated some of the most beautiful things in this world. He misused people, mishandled them, betrayed some of his best pals and business partners but still gave this world some extraordinary things. He rejected the salary offer from Apple when rejoined it as an interim-CEO and worked almost for free because he has always loved to be the owner of a company, not a salaried manager. So, when offered with Apple’s shares and a private jet, he promptly accepted the gift contradicting his own so-called ascetism.
Considering the flow of his life and his activities, people may think that he has been a stubborn, selfish, discourteous and cunning person but despite all these negatives, he could still manage to make a remarkable presence in the history of business. For me, he is an astute businessman who listens to his gut and never steps back from grabbing an opportunity. After all, businesses are run like this only.
But the book also covers the negative sides of Steve Jobs, how he never stepped back from taking credits of other’s work, how he bent things in his favor by his cunning business acumen, how he cheated people to win the corporate races, how he disowned his own daughter (later he took her in his life) and so on.
After finishing the book, I pondered over his life and personally felt that he was not an evangelist as he was purported by himself. But he was surely a charismatic leader who enticed people to fall in his passion and innovated some of the most beautiful things in this world. He misused people, mishandled them, betrayed some of his best pals and business partners but still gave this world some extraordinary things. He rejected the salary offer from Apple when rejoined it as an interim-CEO and worked almost for free because he has always loved to be the owner of a company, not a salaried manager. So, when offered with Apple’s shares and a private jet, he promptly accepted the gift contradicting his own so-called ascetism.
Considering the flow of his life and his activities, people may think that he has been a stubborn, selfish, discourteous and cunning person but despite all these negatives, he could still manage to make a remarkable presence in the history of business. For me, he is an astute businessman who listens to his gut and never steps back from grabbing an opportunity. After all, businesses are run like this only.
