Steve Jobs’ Original Sin
Steve Jobs is remembered today as one of the great innovators of modern times. He was the creative force behind some of the most successful companies, and the driving force behind the creation of the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. However, there is one thing about Jobs that seems to be overlooked: his original sin.
The Relegation of Scott Forstall
It all started when Jobs stripped Scott Forstall of most of his power as iOS software team leader in 2012. Forstall had been with Jobs since the early days at NeXT, and held a great deal of influence at Apple. Jobs felt that Forstall was hampering innovation, so he removed him from the position, relegating him to a minor role in the company.
The Impact of Jobs’ Move
This move had far-reaching consequences. Without Forstall at the helm, the iOS software team lacked the leadership it needed to make progress on new projects. This led to a decline in the quality of iOS updates, with bugs, feature regressions, and poor performance becoming common. Furthermore, the lack of leadership hurt morale among the software team, leading to a decline in innovation.
The Legacy of Jobs’ Move
The repercussions of Jobs’ decision are still felt today. Apple’s mobile software quality still lags behind competitors like Google and Samsung, and many of the issues could have been avoided had Jobs kept Forstall in a leadership role. His decision is a reminder of the importance of having strong leadership in place, and its consequences are still felt today.
Conclusion
In summary, Steve Jobs’ original sin was the removal of Scott Forstall from the leadership of the iOS software team. It ultimately led to a decline in the quality of iOS updates, and the consequences are still being felt today. It is a reminder of the importance of having strong leadership in place in order to ensure innovation and good products.