I’d challenge you to find a more valuable CEO to a company’s future growth than Steve Jobs. Since his return to Apple in 1996, Jobs has seen profits skyrocket with the introduction of such game-changers as iTunes and the iPad… and those two products are just the tip of the iceberg. Jobs is a once-in-a-generation technological visionary and leader who has carefully molded his talented employees into catalysts of innovation for an entire industry.
With Apple now serving as the most dominant force in the computing industry, what could possibly stop them now?
The unfortunate answer is that the man who navigated arguably the most impressive turn-around in corporate history just might have to call it a career soon. As most of you know, Steve Jobs has been fighting significant health issues since 2004. In fact, he is currently on his third medical leave of absence within that 7-year period. Although he made a recent June appearance to introduce the iCloud, the audience was completely taken aback by how sickly and gaunt he appeared. As soon as Jobs left the stage, Apple’s stock even dipped with investors worried about his long-term health and its effect on the future of the company.
The fact is, if Jobs were to leave Apple entirely, this would be a crushing blow to a company that has quickly become the agent of change for evolving technology.
Of course an impending retirement is purely speculative at this point, but there are signs it may happen sooner than later. As I mentioned above, Jobs has surrounded himself with a phenomenal cast of supporting stars, whom are fiercely loyal. In today’s tumultuous economy, it can be difficult to find executive teams that stick together for a couple of years, let alone a decade. But with Jobs, this was not the case. Since his return, his brilliant ensemble has basically remained the same throughout Apple’s rise. However, two top lieutenants have recently left the ranks.
In March, Bertrand Serlet, the VP of Software Engineering, left. Serlet oversaw the development of Apple’s three most recent operating system releases – Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard, and is revered in the software development community. Just last month, Retail Chief Ron Johnson, mastermind behind the now iconic Apple stores, bolted for J.C. Penney. Johnson was widely respected and thought of as a future front-runner to become CEO.
Now it certainly isn’t uncommon to see executives leave for better job opportunities, but you have to be concerned when two loyal talents leave when Jobs is “out of the loop.” In perhaps a telling statement, Newsweek’s Dan Lyons reported:
Interestingly enough, a J.C. Penney spokeswoman says the company first approached Johnson several years ago but that Johnson felt “it was not the right time then.”
But now the timing is right.
In Jobs’ absence, Tim Cook is once again acting CEO. From what I’ve read, Cook is likeable and a good leader, but lacks “the charisma and personal magnetism that can keep top talent around.” Besides his innovative personality, those two qualities are what makes Jobs such an impressive leader. There are a lot of smart people in the world, but it takes a truly incredible individual to motivate and guide a collection of minds to create life-altering technology. Jobs is that individual.
If and when Jobs finally leaves Apple, Cook will most likely fill his shoes. And who’s to say Cook can’t have a similar impact? If the past tells us anything, however, leaders like Jobs are nearly impossible to replace. Look no further than Apple’s biggest competitor, Microsoft. When Bill Gates worked his last full-time day in June of 2008, the computer giant was never the same. For Apple’s sake, let’s hope that Steve still has a lot of guidance and innovation left in the tank.