I met Steve Jobs about 20 years ago when a Silicon Valley headhunter called me regarding a job opportunity at NeXT, the new computer company Jobs had founded after he left Apple in the '80s. NeXT was growing and Jobs wanted to hire a director of executive development. Needless to say, I was intrigued and excited by the possibility of working with the living legend.
The interview process took many weeks. I made frequent trips to Redwood City to run the gantlet of interviews with NeXT managers and executives, any one of whom could have vetoed me. Each time I passed muster, I proceeded to the next round of interviews. The lengthy selection process was a roller coaster adventure, with more than the usual highs and lows of job interviewing. The process even included an audition: I was required to teach a management seminar for Jobs and his entire executive team (no pressure).
A couple weeks after the seminar, I was invited back for a final, one-on-one interview with Jobs. We talked about his vision for NeXT, his thoughts about leadership and building a successful company, his insights into his competitors. He asked me many questions and I had a chance to ask him a few, as well. Interested in getting the measure of the man, I included personal questions along with queries about the position and the company.
"How do you want to be remembered when you die?" I asked.
"I don't care if anybody remembers me," he sniffed dismissively.
Huh! I wasn't expecting that answer. After hesitating for a second, I tried a different tack. "OK, then, what do you want the people who love you to remember about you?"
Now it was Jobs' turn to hesitate. He thought for a couple seconds, then replied, "I want them to remember me as the best dad in the world."
Until then, I had admired and respected Steve Jobs... but now I loved him. I loved his humanity; I loved his commitment to his kids, present and future. And I loved his willingness to be open and intimate, if only for a brief moment.
I didn't get the gig at NeXT ... but I did get the opportunity to compete, test my skills, and see how I measured up against the other candidate. I gave it my best shot and came away happy far having come "this close" to working for Jobs.
Some months after my Great NeXT Adventure, I left my corporate management job to become a successful consultant, author and speaker. Jobs made his way back to Apple and ultimately bought NeXT. We both lived happily ever after - just not together.
I've never met Jobs' kids, so I don't know whether or not he is the best dad in the world. But as the father of the Mac, iMac, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, and many more hi-tech offspring, he's definitely the coolest.
Happy Father's Day, Steve Jobs!
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Bruce Feiler: A Father's 10 Lessons for His Daughters (VIDEO)
Truly lame. But at least you tried to write something fairly neutral. Nevertheless, the trolls that invade these discussions didnt read it, nor do they care.
Just like the comments on every apple related article I read. A total trolling waste of space.
I remember in the early days thinking Steve was rather geeky but think he's mellowed and looks better with the years.
I remember reading that G/Paltrow had an Apple and I thought that was exactly newsworthy until I discovered it was the birth of her daughter.
David
Happy Father's Day to all the other dads out there.
Being a billionaire with your own aircraft makes it easier to get to where the donated organ is, for sure, but to say he "cut in line" is, to say the least, an oversimplification.
Here's an interesting article about it:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/24/liver.transplant.priority.lists/index.html
Also, it was his liver, not a kidney.
He told me that Steve Jobs was neither the the most awsome human ever, or evil incarnate, but he's kind of intense, so people tend to either love him or hate him.
I met him once, he seemed like an OK guy to me...
Thank you BJ