Even visionaries make mistakes—what matters
is how they grow from them.
is how they grow from them.
Q: Steve, throughout your career, you've been known for your relentless pursuit of excellence. Looking back, is there anything you regret?
You know, I don’t like dwelling on regrets. Life is messy, and sometimes, the dots only connect looking backward. But if I had to name one, it would be how I handled people in my early years at Apple. I was young, impatient, and maybe too convinced that my way was the only way. I pushed people hard—sometimes too hard. And while that led to great products, it also cost me relationships, trust. Getting fired from Apple… it was brutal, but it was also one of the best things that happened to me.
(pauses, a rueful smile)
He said, “This is temporary, Mich.” But temporary turned into eight years in Springfield, then in the U.S. Senate, and, well... now you see where we are. My biggest regret? Believing that “strong women handle it alone.” I should’ve told him, “Your dreams can’t trample mine.” That was a hard lesson to learn.
Q: That must have been an incredibly difficult moment. How did you find redemption after that?
When you get kicked out of your own company, you have two choices: let it define you, or use it to redefine yourself. I chose the second. I built NeXT, poured my energy into Pixar, and, more importantly, I learned. I learned to listen better, to trust people, to let go of control when needed. By the time I returned to Apple, I wasn’t just a better leader—I was a better person.
Q: Reinvention has been a theme in your journey. What advice would you give to someone struggling with failure or regret?
Don’t be afraid to start over. Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it. If you’re passionate about something, keep going. The world has a way of sorting things out if you stay true to what you love. And remember, time is limited—don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
You can only connect the dots looking backward.
Steve Jobs regretted his early leadership style, which led to strained relationships and his removal from Apple. However, he transformed this setback into growth, founding NeXT and Pixar, and returning as a stronger leader. His journey proved that failure can lead to reinvention.
