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5 great skills that made business geniuses including Bill Gates and Elon Musk look up to Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs unexpectedly pass away in his mid 50s in 2011 after 1 year struggling with neuroendocrine cancer.

From Bill Gates, Elon Musk to Tim Cook, from associates to rivals, all attributed their success to the former CEO and founder of Apple. Jobs’ creativity and success indeed inspired many young software engineers, even people in other industry sectors.

Belows are the valuable lessons from the tech titan, each by another tech giant. Let's consider 5 great skills that made business geniuses.

Tim Cook: “The mentor can wait for his mentee’s preparation, but he can’t wait for his readiness.”


5 great skills that made business geniusesSource: Insider


Tim Cook says until now he’s still not ready to step up and take over the position of Steve Jobs. Even when Cook spent 14 years under direct supervision from Jobs, he still feels unqualified.

The current Apple CEO shared his thoughts during a speech at Stanford University 2019 graduation. He recalled the moment Steve Jobs stood on the same stage and said “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Cook said that he clearly distinguished between being prepared and being ready on the experience from the loneliness he felt after Jobs’ death.

“It’s OK, whether you are ready or not, when the time came for you to step up and take over.”

Cook told the students that they are not supposed to be 100% ready all the time. He urged them to find the hope in the unexpected, the courage in the challenge and the vision on the solitary road.

Elon Musk: “The capacity to recruit and inspire outstanding people are crucial.”


5 great skills that made business geniusesSource: Medium


World’s richest man, the tech billionaire Elon Musk in October tweeted that he wished he had an opportunity to directly exchange his views with the deceased former CEO of Apple.

Musk recalled that he got rejected the chance to speak to Jobs after Google co-founder Larry Page managed to introduce him at a 2013 event. However, he said that was something not unexpected, indicating the difference in the then positions of both him and Jobs.

In a 2018 interview, Musk said he has long admired Jobs, who shared many similar visions on the future. He revealed that he would try to do the same thing at Tesla just like what Jobs had done at Apple by attracting and motivating the elites under him, while also gaining their trust and loyalty.

“After all, a business is just a group of people assembled to create a product or service,” Musk shared.

Bill Gates: “How Jobs charmed the crowd proved significant.”


5 great skills that made business geniusesSource: CNBC


Despite being the main competitor of Apple and Jobs, Gates still befriended Jobs amidst the 30-year long battle between the 2 tech giants. The two are the most specific example for what is known as “frenemies.”

The Microsoft co-founder expressed that he would miss Steve Jobs immensely, claiming that it has been an insanely great honor to be lucky enough to work with Steve.

Since then, Gates shared that he has always wanted to mimic the ability of motivating and public speaking, two things that can drive a crowd, from Steve Jobs.

“He was such a wizard at over-motivation. I can see people being mesmerized under his spell,” Gates insisted.

Bill Gates said that the former CEO of Apple had an innate talent in capturing the audience, even if the products he was promoting were not attractive.

Meg Whitman: “Design really matters.”


5 great skills that made business geniusesSource: Fortune


Current board member of P&G and GM, former CEO of HP, eBay and board member of Disney, this businesswoman said she received a hint from Apple, just 1 year after the death of Steve Jobs.

She said that at that time, HP didn’t follow up with innovation, when the entire market has shifted into something really more beautiful.

“Simple can be harder than complex” – this is the main of the ideals in Jobs’ approach to product design. “You have to work hard to simplify your ideas, just to create a simple product. And that’s really worth it because once done, you’ll be able to move mountains.

Jony Ive: “It is far more essential in longing for lessons than longing for rightness”


5 great skills that made business geniusesSource: Pinterest


Jony Ive, long time Chief Designer Officer of Apple, delivered a eulogy at Jobs’ funeral, referring to the former Apple CEO as his closest and most loyal friend.

Writing on Monday, I've said what he remembered most was how Jobs saw the world. The CDO of Apple claimed Jobs was definitely the most inquisitive man he has ever known.

“His insatiable curiosity was not limited or distracted by his knowledge or expertise, nor was it casual or passive. It was ferocious, energetic and restless. His curiosity was practiced with intention and rigor.”

Ive said that it is the curiosity that urged him to learn more. To Steve, wanting to learn was far more significant than wanting to be right.

H/T: cnbc.com
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