Apple’s ouster of Scott Forstall is the big news this week. Forstall has been referred to as “Steve’s guy” and as Jobs’ mouthpiece within the company. Forstall was someone who consistently executed Jobs’ vision.
I’ve often thought that someone like Steve Jobs would have failed miserably had he not become a millionaire founder of a successful technology company at a young age. His personality was divisive. His manners lacking. Interaction with colleagues was often painful and sometimes hurtful. He had strong opinions. He took credit for the work of others. He was also brilliant. But many companies wouldn’t tolerate such a personality for long enough to for the brilliance to shine. For this reason, it is unlikely that someone like Jobs will rise to his position ever again. That’s part of what made him special.
It seems that this theory was proven correct. Forstall by all accounts had personality traits similar to Jobs. According to one rumor, Forstall’s stubborn refusal to sign a letter apologizing for Apple Maps was the last straw. That’s something Jobs might have done if he sincerely believed there was nothing to apologize for. Like Jobs, Forstall appears to have been a divisive character who was difficult to work with. Even so, like Jobs, Forstall had a loyal following of people who admired him. Jobs undoubtedly created lots of friction within the company. That friction led to world-changing products, in part, because he was the most difficult person in the company to get rid of. Forstall’s friction was avoidable. Only Jobs could be Jobs.