Chapter 1: The Rise of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs emerged as one of the most impactful and visionary figures of our era. As a co-founder of Apple, he played a crucial role in transforming personal computing, music, and mobile technology. Renowned for his charisma, creativity, and high standards, Jobs also possessed a significant ego, which led him to choose the unconventional title of employee number zero at Apple.

When Apple began assigning employee numbers, Jobs felt slighted that his co-founder, Steve Wozniak, received the number 1, while he was assigned number 2. Jobs believed he should always hold a superior position, especially compared to Wozniak, who, despite his engineering prowess, didn't grasp the broader vision that defined Apple.

According to Robert X. Cringely's book Accidental Empires, Jobs viewed being employee number two as a personal affront, stating, "He believed it was an insult to be employee number two to a guy who loved engineering but didn't understand the vision at the core of Apple." Consequently, Jobs opted for the number 0, which he felt better reflected his role and status as the leader and innovator of the company.

This choice not only signified his ego but also highlighted his desire to distinguish himself from employees numbered 3 through 9. Jobs' inflated self-regard manifested in his distinctive leadership style, often described as a "reality distortion field." This phenomenon allowed him to inspire others to embrace his vision and accomplish what seemed unattainable.

Andy Hertzfeld, a member of the original Macintosh team, characterized this reality distortion field as "a confounding mélange of a charismatic rhetorical style, an indomitable will, and an eagerness to bend any fact to fit the purpose at hand." This unique approach was instrumental in the development of groundbreaking products like the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. John Brandon of Inc. articulated that Jobs was a visionary leader because he could envision possibilities beyond the ordinary and motivate others to participate in creating something extraordinary.

However, Jobs' ego was not without its downsides. His arrogance and demanding nature often led to conflicts with various individuals, including Wozniak, board members, competitors, and even his daughter, Eve. Eve, a model featured in campaigns for Glossier and Perfect Magazine, has inherited several of her father's traits, such as intelligence, confidence, and a rebellious spirit.

Moreover, Jobs' ego contributed to his neglect of personal health. He delayed undergoing surgery for his pancreatic cancer for nine months, favoring alternative treatments instead. He ultimately passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56.

Today, Steve Jobs' legacy endures through Apple, which stands as one of the world's most valuable corporations, boasting a market capitalization exceeding $2.5 trillion as of August 2023. Under the leadership of Tim Cook, the company continues to thrive, with Cook expressing optimism about the future of work and the sustainability of hybrid remote and in-person models.

Apple is more than just a business; it embodies an idea that signifies innovation, creativity, and excellence. As the ReckonTalk Team noted in their article 16 Amazing Facts You Should Know About Apple Inc., "Apple is not just a company, but an idea that represents innovation, creativity, and excellence."

The first video explores the journeys of Apple's first ten employees, highlighting their diverse paths and contributions to the company's legacy.

The second video presents a rare glimpse of Steve Jobs leading a small staff meeting in September 1997, offering insights into his leadership style and vision.

Relevant articles:

• TIL that when Apple began designating employee numbers, Steve Jobs was offended that Wozniak received #1 while he got #2. He believed he should be second to no one, so he took #0 instead., by ParadoxicalState on Reddit, posted on 15 Sep 2017.
• Steve Jobs' daughter Eve is a model now, by Hannah Frishberg on New York Post, published on 13 Aug 2023.
• Apple's Tim Cook says he's 'very optimistic' about the future of work, by Kif Leswing on CNBC, published on 14 Aug 2023.
• How Steve Jobs' 'reality distortion field' made him a visionary leader, by John Brandon on Inc., published on 15 Aug 2023.