On Wednesday, October 5, 2011, it was announced that Steve Jobs, co-founder, sometimes CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Apple Inc, had passed. At a time when much of the world is mourning the loss of a person who dared to think differently, it’s difficult to put together thoughts that won’t simply fade into the background of the ever-chatty internet, but I think that’s a good place to start.
Initially, as I watched the world respond to the news of Steve’s passing, I was irritated. Suddenly, everybody knew Steve and had something to say. But, after thinking about it more, of course everybody had something to say - whether they knew him or not, they knew his company, its people & products, and his stories.
As somebody who worked in Apple retail, it quickly became apparent that the people who are attracted to Apple, both the customers and the employees, are unique, yet somehow very similar. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a customer to seek employment at an Apple Store because they simply want to hang out and talk about the products they love with other like-minded people. There is a deeply personal bond between the customers, employees, and the products that bring them together. Hugging feels as natural as breathing in the store; though it’s quite common for the employees to hug each-other, frequently the customers are so elated after assistance that they’ll ask “May I hug you?” I believe it’s that emotional connection with Apple, both internally and externally, that makes Steve’s life have such a far-reaching touch.
Steve was a master storyteller. Through his involvement with Pixar, a company that wouldn’t have existed without him, and his often-imitated keynote presentations at Apple, to which I credit the title of this post, Steve had a way of captivating audiences. The buildup of anticipation leading up to a keynote frequently overshadowed the actual presentation not because the products weren’t “magical”, as he said, but because he left you wanting more. It was like watching your favorite musical act perform, and not wanting the night to end. Ultimately, though, they are just additional examples of how well he was able to build a personal relationship with all of humanity, without even being in the same room.
As President Obama noted, ”…[Steve] exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity.” At a time when it feels like America is in the proverbial basement, Steve represented a company that’s not only surviving, but flourishing. Steve lived the American dream, and I will remember him.
