Warning long post ahead.
First of all, I was saddened today to learn of Steve Jobs’ resignation as Apple’s CEO. Below is the resignation letter which is making its way around the internet at lightning speed right now.
To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.Steve
I have copied it here because I respect the man greatly. I spent several rough months of my life being diagnosed with the same illness that he has only to find out that I was fortunate and did not have cancer and he did. In the darkest hours of that time for me, him toughing it out helped me tough it out.
What impresses me the most about him is that he has kept his focus on doing his business, in building things to make peoples’ lives better and it helping other people through capitalism.he is everything I admire about the dream of taking things on because they are there and in building more in spite of all odds. He epitomizes the term “Do your worst, I will not kneel.” I am grateful for the example of a really bright guy doing extraordinary things.
Note to the East Coast media currently whining about a 5.8 earthquake…Japan’s was 1,000 times as severe. Let’s have some priorities OK? Quit whining. You do not have problems. Steve Jobs has problems…and yet he does not whine. Neither did Japan. I think there is a lesson there.
For those who whine about capitalism and how bad it is…and how these “corporate jet” CEOs are such evil monsters who are not paying their fair share, I would ask you to consider Steve Jobs. When you think that he built his company once, make a fortune, and then it almost went under after making it the first time and so he came back, reinvested and built it again…bigger and better and employing more people…And improving more lives. In the last few years, all while dealing with the ultimate of health issues. Pretty impressive in my book.
I’d like to offer you something to consider before you look at entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and say that the freedom we give them to build massive companies is a bad thing…when you are writing that criticism, make sure that you are doing it from an iPad or a Mac or an iPhone. That way the hypocrisy will be complete.
Before we think about how many ways that we can restrict more Steve Jobs’s out there with regulations and red tape to make it “fair”, I would suggest that we would best be served by turning them loose to dream, build, invent, create and do. They will succeed most times anyway, but why create obstacles that slow the progress and improvement in our lives?
Happy retirement, Steve. May you live each day to the fullest. Thank you for making my life (for one) all little brighter, my resolve to celebrate every day a little stronger, and my love for the freedoms and opportunities that I have a little deeper.
Well done.
Greg Swann says:
Beautiful. I wrote my own encomium to Jobs tonight, but I love the passion in yours.
August 24, 2011 — 11:21 pm
Teri Lussier says:
What a moving piece. When you share your soul Eric, it’s like staring at the sun- all the beauty of the world emanates from you.
August 25, 2011 — 5:47 am
Don Reedy says:
What We Can Learn From Eric Blackwell…
That life, liberty and humanity are precious, and that those people who taste and touch the passions that give rise to the splendor of that humanity are beacons, all too rare and all too far from the safety of the harbor for most seafarers to sail toward.
A fitting and robust tribute to a man who, like yourself, is resolved to be participate and risk while the fainthearted engage in finger pointing and nay-saying.
August 25, 2011 — 5:27 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
@Greg – Truly enjoyable read. Thank you sir. SplendorQuest just found a home in my reader.
@Teri – you are too kind.
@Don – you are an inspiration to me as well. You are an example of what it is like to live and live fully. Thanks.
August 25, 2011 — 6:58 pm
Wayne says:
Wow Eric…. I love hearing this from you! Steve Jobs has lead and is leading an amazing life with and amazing impact on the world as we know it.
And like you …. I feel that we need to lift the as many restrictions and clear the path for entrepreneurs to run!
Jobs created Jobs and we need more like him!!
August 26, 2011 — 5:29 am
Wayne says:
Typed too fast… not enough coffee… take your pick of excuses but ya’ll get the point (sorry for the typos)….. Both Eric and Steve Jobs are pretty amazing individuals 🙂
By the way, the new Apple CEO Tim Cook is an Auburn Grad.
August 26, 2011 — 5:43 am
Kevin Hughes says:
Steve Jobs has accomplished so much- touching and improving the lives of millions of people across the world. He should be congratulated and appreciated for his valuable contributions to our society. Jobs is an inspiration and example of persistence, commitment and so much more. Sure, things get a little rocky for all of us sometimes. When I consider what Steve Jobs has done even while battling cancer it certainly helps keep things in perspective.
August 26, 2011 — 11:15 am
Robert Worthington says:
Seems like Apple was nothing without him, but everything with him. We’ll see what his successor can do. Good luck to Tim Cook.
August 27, 2011 — 10:13 am
Ken Jansen says:
Steve Jobs is an incredible designer and tireless perfectionist. He has accomplished some great things and made the world a better more communicative place. Nice job, Steve. 🙂
August 27, 2011 — 7:21 pm
JBond says:
Unbelievable legacy this man has left behind him. Apple is one of the most amazing companies I have ever seen, and Steve was the one to bring it to life. God bless, Steve.
August 29, 2011 — 7:44 am
Nancy says:
This is a very inspiring and straight to the point article. I admire Steve Jobs and his principles in life or business. He is someone who is still fighting and never gave up.
August 31, 2011 — 6:11 am