27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

1. The most surprising thing I found out was how Steve Jobs picked the name, Apple. I assumed he picked the name because it is his favorite fruit. Apparently he picked it because one day after coming home from an apple farm, Steve Wozniak and him were bouncing ideas off each other and Jobs thought an apple was fun, spirited and not intimidating. To me the name is still puzzling, but it’s different. Which in essence describes Apple perfectly.

2. The quality that I liked most about Steve Jobs was also the trait that I disliked the most. He had unrelenting confidence in himself and what he designed. Whatever he said was the final answer. He is very similar to Elon Musk in that they both set extraordinary high standards and demand the best from their employees. He micromanages in order to make sure everything is perfect and has been able to build incredible technology with minimal resources in a short period of time.

However, his narcissistic attitude could have cost him if it was not for Art Levinson. Initially Steve Jobs did not want third party apps because, “He didn't want outsiders to create applications for the iPhone that could mess it up, infect it with viruses, or pollute its integrity.” If Levinson did not push so hard to get apps on the iPhone, the iPhone would not have been nearly as successful and Apple wouldn’t be as dominate as it is today.

Many times he encountered failure. As a child he was put up for adoption. He has been kicked off as CEO from his own company.  He even had to have his biggest competitor revive his company in order to stay afloat. Each time he gets up and is stronger than ever.

Steve Jobs had an eye for detail and perfection. However, the main thing I took away was how persuasive he was. He had an act to persuade entire conference halls to cheer for each new product. Turning every product from a gimmick to a must have. He was also able to motivate and persuade all of his employees into doing the impossible. Setting unachievable goals and deadlines. Very similar to what Elon Musk does.

3. The most confusing part was how Steve Jobs knew the solutions to many different products and could come up with revolutionary ideas. Because Steve Wozniak was the brains of Apple initially. He essentially created Apple 1, Lisa and most of Apple 2. Jobs was mainly the marketer. It astounds me that once Wozniak left, the business grew so well.

4. Did you know you would be successful as a child? I would want to know if he knew one day he would create the largest publicly traded company in the world. I wonder if he had this vision for Apple since he was a kid. Also I would ask how important he though college was? He’s known for dropping out of college, but I wonder if he still believes college is right for most.  

5. Steve Jobs found his passion, he got to develop new technology every day. When a job is your passion, then you don’t have to work. I don’t believe Steve thought he was doing hard work, but putting in a certain amount of time and energy to get to his final goal. I also believe that hard work is only prevalent when what you are doing is work. Finding your true passion means you never have to work a day in your life.