Tim Cook Reveals the Secret Steve Jobs Taught Him to Help Apple Succeed — and Scientists Say You Can Apply It to YOUR Life
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest innovators and business leaders of all time.
But after his untimely death at just 56, the key to Steve Jobs’ genius may have been lost on him.
Fortunately, Tim Cook, Apple’s current CEO and Steve Jobs’ protégé, has now shared the secrets passed down to him that contributed to Apple’s success.
In an interview with the Wall Street JournalCook says the biggest lesson he learned from his old mentor was how to keep an open mind.
Cook says Jobs taught him “not to be married to my past beliefs, not to be so proud that you can’t change your mind when presented with new evidence.”
Jobs wasn’t the only one who believed in the power of openness, as scientists say this trait could help you improve your own life.
Research has shown that those who show more openness are more intellectually capable, experience more original thinking, and even have better cardiovascular health.
Steve Jobs (right) is considered one of the greatest innovators and business leaders of his generation. Now his protégé and current Apple CEO Tim Cook (left) has revealed the secrets he learned that helped Apple become successful
In the interview, Cook said Steve Jobs was “the teacher of a lifetime,” who emphasized the importance of being around people who challenge him.
“At first I was a little surprised about that, but then I became so enamored with it,” he said.
“Very few people have that skill because they remain true to their past beliefs, and I thought it was a brilliant skill.”
Although Jobs is often remembered as an innovator who relentlessly pursued his own unique ideas, Cook says his greatest strength was his ability to listen to other views.
“He changed my mind about a lot of things, and he changed my mind about a lot of things,” Cook said.
“He loved to debate and he loved someone to debate him, and you could always change your mind if you had the best idea.”
Cook adds that part of the reason their relationship at Apple worked so well was because he and Jobs changed their minds so often.
But this skill has proven useful not only in his dealings with his former mentor.
Tim Cook says the most important thing he learned from Steve Jobs is the ability to be open to new ideas and not be married to his past views.
In the interview, Cook describes his morning routine this way: “I get up very early and quickly scan through the emails that have come in over the past few hours.”
These emails contain both positive and “not-so-positive” feedback from Apple customers.
However, Cook says he is not deterred by the criticism, but rather that the key is to ‘keep your hand on the pulse of the company’.
He says, “I have relatively thick skin, so I try to internalize that and ask myself, ‘Is that right or not?’
“And not just quickly put up a defensive shield and say why what we did right.”
In fact, Cook says that the ability to be flexible and open is something he believes is important for life as a whole.
He concludes, “Life has its own way of happening and it throws you off a well-made plan. I think the most important thing is to continue that and make sure you recognize when doors open and choose the door you go through.”
Although he may not have put it in these terms, the skill Cook describes learning from Jobs may actually be the psychological quality of openness.
Tim Cook says Steve Jobs (pictured) would change his mind if given new ideas and the pair would often debate and challenge each other
Openness is one of the ‘Big 5’ personality traits that psychologists use to understand our personalities and approaches to the world.
As a 2023 research paper describes it: ‘Openness is characterized by a person’s tendency to seek out new experiences and a willingness to explore ideas, values, emotions, and sensations that differ from his previous experiences or established preferences.’
Research has shown that high levels of openness are associated with an improved ability to think creatively and come up with ‘out of the box’ solutions.
Likewise, people with higher levels of openness have been found to demonstrate greater adaptability, allowing them to navigate uncertain situations with ease.
This could go a long way toward Jobs’ ability to absorb new information, ideas, and experiences rather than getting stuck in his ways.
However, scientists say this trait is important for more than just business success.
Research published in 2018 found that people with greater openness adapt more quickly to stress on a physiological level.
Compared to less open-minded individuals, more open people responded more strongly to stress initially, but showed a less dramatic response over time.
This attitude of openness, which Cook said was so important, has been linked by research to qualities such as creativity and flexibility, as well as improved stress responses and cardiovascular health. Pictured: Tim Cook speaks during a tribute to Steve Jobs after his death in 2011
The researchers wrote, “In other words, individuals with the highest openness appear to have the flexibility to respond to the stressful experience presented.”
The 2018 study notes that people with less open personalities are at risk of developing higher blood pressure, which can lead to negative health outcomes.
This effect is so pronounced that openness is even considered by some scientists to be a good predictor of cardiovascular risk.
That means Jobs’ advice to stay open to new experiences can help you live a more creative and healthy life.