Reading Reflection No. 1

"Steve Jobs" – Walter Isaacson

 1) After reading Steve Jobs, I was thoroughly surprised by how much of a successful man Steve Jobs actually is. I never realized the success he has created for himself. What I admire the most about Steve Jobs is his sheer dedication and charisma that he put forth in all of his businesses. Steve Jobs did encounter adversity and failure. But never once did he put his foot down and throw in the towel. He preserved through the hardships and complicating times and developed some of the most brilliant companies and products. However, I do not admire his comparison of his leadership skills to that of Jesus or Ghandi, in chapter 11, “The Reality Distortion Field.” Yes, he was a successful businessman, and his businesses still continue to be. But his level of leadership is in the opposite range of being godly. He created new innovative companies and products for human consumption, which emphasizes the hunger for material items. Ghandi and Jesus enlightened people to overcome their obstacles and push themselves to their limits to find their true inner selves. Thus, Steve Jobs calling himself enlightened is inaccurate and offensive to those who truly are.

 2) The entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, did exhibit quite a few exquisite competencies. First of all, Steve Jobs displayed great leadership skills in developing his companies. He gave each of his employees to opportunity to work as a collective whole to make new products. He saw tremendous talent and potential in his chosen team of diligent workers and pushed them to succeed at their highest level. He showed a wide array of initiative and creativity in establishing himself in the world of business and as an entrepreneur.

 3) A part in the novel that was the most confusing to me occurred in Chapters 35, “Round One”, 37, “Round Two: The Cancer Returns”, and 41, “Round Three.” Steve Jobs was diagnosed with a rare type of pancreatic cancer in 2003. However, he refused surgery for nine months at first and continued to refuse treatment. Instead, he tried special diets and alternative medicines to combat his illness. Unfortunately, he lost the battle to cancer in 2011. The one thing that confuses is why did he not get the surgery that could have potentially saved his life. He has created so much success and a name for himself that he was too stubborn to take care of his body first. His refusal not to get proper treatment demonstrates his ignorance he has for his well-being of his own body. If he had gotten the surgery as recommended by medical professional, he would still be here today and the forefront of his spectacular companies that own up to his legacy as an entrepreneur. It is quite emotional to see someone as triumphant as Steve Jobs lose their life because of their carelessness. So, all in all, this is the area of the novel that caused the most confusion for me.

 4) If I were able to ask Steve Jobs two questions they would: “Did you ever see yourself as a successful entrepreneur and create some of the largest companies, such as Apple?” and “What were aspirations as a child growing up in grade school?” I believe these two questions show Steve Jobs’ beginning and end, from childhood to adulthood. It channels where he first saw himself in his youth to where he got himself into the future and ultimately as an entrepreneur. It is important to see the growth of an individual and their aspirations throughout life and where they end up at. As for Steve Jobs, he was a high school and somehow, he turned his life around and is known as one of the most successful people in the world.

 5) I think Steve Jobs was very fond of hard work. His companies were developed on the concept of hard work and dedication. I, too, believe that hard work is necessary to be successful. Without hard work, you are selling yourself short of achieving your dreams and succeeding.