You couldn’t help but feel sorry for Phil Schiller, Apple’s vice president of marketing, when he stepped onstage
to deliver the keynote at San Francisco’s MacWorld Expo a few weeks ago. Apple
CEO and visionary leader Steven P. Jobs would not be making an appearance at
this year's show, so the speech would have to be delivered by Phil. Stepping
into the considerably large shoes of the CEO would be a tough act to follow.
If you’re lucky, you might have had
the opportunity to work for one great leader in your lifetime. I’ve done better
than most. I’ve worked for two. Walt Disney and Steve Jobs are more alike than
you think. For the two men were not just leaders of their respective companies
-- they were the company.
When news of Steve Jobs’ health began
to leak to the media, I couldn’t help but remember how I felt back in 1966 when
Walt’s health became an issue. Disney had already guided us through
“The Jungle Book.” He had begun development on Epcot and Walt Disney World, and
had dozens of ideas on the drawing board. I guess it was natural to minimize
the concerns about Walt’s health at the time. He couldn’t be sick, we thought.
How could we go on without him?
Much like Walt Disney, Steve Jobs insisted that his team
give no less than their best. And if this didn't sit well
with you, you'd best seek employment elsewhere
Phil Schiller did his best to deliver
the goods at the Apple Keynote on Tuesday, and you’ve got to give the guy
credit for that. Likewise I’ve gained a good deal more respect for my old boss,
former Disney CEO Ron Miller. Ron, along with his wife, Diane now runs
Silverado Vineyards in Napa. Late last year, we sat and talked about our old
days at the studio, and what it must have been like to step into the leadership
role at Walt Disney Studios. Can you even begin to imagine what it must have
been like to follow Walt Disney? This is a task I would not wish on anybody.
While chatting with an Apple employee
at MacWorld some years ago, a tall fellow in a black mock turtleneck shirt
walked up to us. It was the boss, Steve Jobs. And quite frankly I had the same
feeling of awe and intimidation whenever Walt Disney entered the room. Not that
both men were scary -- although I’ll confess they sometimes were -- it’s just
that you knew you were in the presence of someone truly special.
I had the privilege of observing Walt
Disney in action over a ten-year period, from 1956 to 1966, and there’s a lot
you can learn about an individual even watching from the sidelines. Likewise, I
was lucky enough to be at Pixar Animation Studios when Jobs was boss. Known for
his legendary tantrums and bull-headed behavior; Jobs had suddenly become a
mature, mellow individual. Perhaps his years in “exile” had changed him, or
maybe it was because he was now a father. Known for his excessive meddling,
Steve was totally “hands off” at Pixar. And although he maintained a modest
office at the company, I never saw him encroach on Pixar’s creative process.
Unlike most high profile, power-obsessed executives; Steve was smart enough to
leave his artists alone.
I drew this sketch of Steve Jobs after
arriving at Pixar Animation Studios in 1997
The Silicon Valley wonks and tech
heads say Apple will do just fine should Steve Jobs not return to the company
in June. They say that Apple is well positioned to thrive in the coming years
because they’ve got millions in the bank, and new innovative products still in
development. I agree that Apple is not going broke anytime soon, and the
company will continue on with or without Steve Jobs. However, it won’t be the
same company.
You see, leaders like Walt Disney and
Steve Jobs come along once in a lifetime. It might surprise some to learn how
much these two companies parallel each other. Both companies began with two
guys tinkering in a garage, for heavens sake. Both companies had charismatic,
visionary leaders who wanted things done the right way -- their way. Both
companies shaped and profoundly influenced American popular culture, and
created products eager customers continue to gobble up, because they
practically sell themselves.
Apple will eventually change, I’m sad
to say. Much the same way Disney’s change was inevitable once we no longer had
Walt. All companies change because the leader either passes on, or simply
decides to step down. What does remain is the legacy, and hopefully, that won’t
be forgotten.
Late in 1998, Steve Jobs returned to Apple. And not long
thereafter, he gave us the iMac. The Walt Disney of technology
had returned to Apple and the magic had returned as well
Did you enjoy reading Floyd Norman's thoughts on Steve & Walt? Well, this is just one of the hundreds of tales that this Disney Legend
has to share. Many of which you'll find collected in the three books
Floyd currently has the market. Each of which take an affectionate look
back at all the years that Mr. Norman has spent working in the
entertainment industry.
These include Floyd's original collection of cartoons and stories
-- "Faster! Cheaper! The Flip Side of the Art of Animation" (which is
available for sale over at John Cawley's cataroo.com)
as well as two follow-ups to that book, "Son of Faster, Cheaper" &
"How the Grinch Stole Disney." Which you can purchase by heading over
to Afrokids.com.
And while you're at it, don't forget to check out Mr. Fun's Blog. Which is where Mr. Norman postings his musings when he's not writing for JHM.
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