Reading Reflection 1

1. Steve Jobs

• What surprised you the most?

I think the most surprising aspect of the book to me was the explanation for the naming of Apple. Throughout my life, I have owned countless Apple products, but I have never asked myself how they came up with the company name. As it turns out, Jobs had experimented with fruit-based diets and he had a fondness for Apples. After visiting an apple farm on the same day that the paperwork was submitted to form Apple, Steve decided the name was "fun spirited and not intimidating."

• What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?

I think that Steve Jobs was possessed an incredible ability to inspire and push people beyond their comfort zones. Although he had a very harsh way about him, he knew how to get a lot out of very little resources. I remember when Woz and Jobs were discussing starting a company. Wozniak was very hesitant until Steve helped him envision the possibilities of them owning their own company. 

• What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?

Although Jobs was a great motivator, he often got his way by manipulating people. In the book they describe his personality, "He could be charismatic, even mesmerizing, but also cold and brutal. I understand that business is business, but reading this book made me see Jobs in a different way. He was brilliant and innovative, but his treatment of others was very saddening and something I couldn't understand.  

• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?

Jobs actually dropped out of school at Reed College. He became bored with the required coursework, and decided that it wasn't worth spending his parents money on an education he didn't want. However, he became close with the Dean of Students and they allowed him to stay on campus with friends and drop in on certain classes that interested him after he stopped paying tuition. Not to mention, the hiring of Sculley later caused Jobs to get in a power struggle that he eventually lost. The company that he had founded with Woz was basically ripped out from under him, but he responded by creating Pixar which is what eventually made him a billionaire. 

2. What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited

Steve Jobs had an incredible ability to adapt to changing markets and consumer behaviors. His ability to recognize opportunity and stay ahead of the curve was incredible. Not to mention, Jobs possessed an unmatched work ethic and drive to succeed. As stated previously, after losing his power in Apple and basically being thrown to the side, he went on to create a division of Lucasfilms that became Pixar. Jobs was destined to do something that would change the world based upon his personality and work ethic. 

3.  Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing.

The confusing part about the reading was the very detailed accounts of Job's drug use. I understand that it was part of his rise to the top and marijuana and LSD were a huge part of his 20s. However, I think the detailed accounts of drug use and hallucinations took away from the true purpose of the book.

4. If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

I would want to ask Steve Jobs what his proudest accomplishment in life was. I am curious if he truly valued work and success more than family and friends. Based upon the novel, it was clear that Jobs was a workaholic who was obsessed with success and strove to always be the best.

I would also ask Jobs if he thinks dropping out of college was a turning point in his life. After dropping out of college, Jobs began to realize that he didn't need a traditional education to be successful. I want to understand his thought process and how much he considered staying in school.

5. What do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work?

Jobs believed that it took dedication, long hours, and sleepless nights to run a successful company. He held his employees to obscenely high standards and would get mad if they didn't live up to them. I think his definition of hard work is a little different than mine. I believe it requires dedication and passion, but there has to be a balance. Working countless hours without balance or a goal in mind will not lead you to success in my opinion.