Happy Accidents #084 - Fired from Apple, Fueled for Greatness

Sometimes, life's most painful setbacks become the stepping stones to the greatest achievements. No one embodies this more than Steve Jobs.

Fired from Apple, the company he co-founded, Jobs' very public ousting seemed like a devastating defeat. But what followed was an extraordinary tale of redemption, innovation, and success.

Here’s how Jobs turned his greatest failure into the foundation of one of the most incredible business comebacks in history.

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Let's dig in, shall we?

SETTING THE STAGE

This is the part of every Happy Accident story where we see every successful outcome starts with the person putting themselves in a favorable position. They work hard, they try new things, they meet new people. They're not just sitting around 'hoping' to be successful some day.

In 1976, Steve Jobs, along with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, co-founded Apple, transforming it from a garage startup into a tech giant. The introduction of the Apple II and the original Macintosh cemented Apple as a leader in personal computing.

But behind the scenes, tensions were brewing. Jobs' intense leadership style and his relentless pursuit of perfection led to friction with other executives. By 1985, a power struggle ensued between Jobs and then-CEO John Sculley (whom Jobs had personally recruited).

The board sided with Sculley, and Jobs was effectively pushed out of the company he helped build.

Being fired from Apple was a crushing blow for Jobs. He later said, "I was out — and very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating."

Little did Jobs know that this painful exit would become a turning point that set the stage for his greatest triumphs…

THE HAPPY ACCIDENT

This is the part of every success story where there's a chance encounter, a serendipitous moment, an unintentional discovery (or Happy Accident) that paves the way for the next steps. In some cases, a Happy Accident can even be disguised as something bad in the moment.

After leaving Apple, Jobs could have faded into obscurity, but instead, he started NeXT, a company focused on creating high-end workstations for education and business.

Though NeXT never became a commercial success, it was an essential chapter in Jobs' journey. NeXT's software would eventually serve as the foundation for Apple's modern operating systems, bringing him back full circle to the company he once led.

But the bigger happy accident came when Jobs purchased The Graphics Group from Lucasfilm in 1986. Renaming it Pixar, Jobs revolutionized animation, producing the world’s first entirely computer-animated film, Toy Story, in 1995.

Pixar's success, combined with Jobs' new role as a Hollywood visionary, boosted his confidence and diversified his entrepreneurial skill set.

And it set the stage for everything that came next…

CAPITALIZING

Just like Happy Accidents don't just fall into your lap (you need to set the stage first), they also don't turn into anything if you don't recognize them and take action. This is the part of every success story where we see people capitalizing on their Happy Accident.

Meanwhile, Apple was floundering without its co-founder.

By the mid-1990s, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, with its product line muddled and innovation stalled. In a twist of fate, Apple acquired NeXT in 1996, bringing Jobs back as an advisor.

By 1997, Jobs had regained full control as interim CEO, and his vision for Apple’s future quickly became apparent.

Jobs slashed unnecessary products, streamlined the company’s offerings, and focused on creating innovative, user-friendly designs. His introduction of the iMac in 1998 was just the beginning of Apple’s renaissance.

Over the next decade, Jobs unveiled revolutionary products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, transforming Apple from a struggling company into a global powerhouse.

His return wasn’t just a success—it was a business miracle.

TOO LONG; DIDN’T READ (TL;DR)

Steve Jobs' firing from Apple in 1985 was a devastating public setback. Yet, this moment of failure sparked the creation of NeXT and Pixar, both of which played crucial roles in his return to Apple in 1996.

Upon his return, Jobs transformed Apple from a struggling company to one of the most valuable in the world, launching iconic products like the iMac, iPhone, and iPad.

His story of resilience and innovation reminds us that even the biggest setbacks can lead to the most extraordinary comebacks.

Lessons for Solopreneurs

1. Embrace Failure as a Catalyst for Growth: Getting fired from Apple forced Jobs to reevaluate his approach and innovate in new ways. For solopreneurs, setbacks often open up opportunities to refine their vision and try something new.

2. Diversify Your Skills: Jobs didn’t just return to Apple; he spent his years away learning new skills in animation and film production with Pixar. Solopreneurs can benefit from exploring new industries and expanding their knowledge.

3. Timing is Everything: Jobs returned to Apple at just the right moment. Sometimes, business opportunities require patience—knowing when to make your move is crucial.

4. Create, Don’t Wait: Jobs didn’t sit back after his firing. He created new companies, new products, and ultimately, a whole new vision for Apple. Solopreneurs should remember that action beats waiting for the “right” moment.

Some fun facts:

• Pixar’s First Success: While NeXT struggled, Pixar became a juggernaut. Toy Story grossed $373 million worldwide, establishing Pixar as a leader in animation and making Jobs a billionaire.

• The NeXT Impact: NeXT’s operating system became the foundation for macOS and iOS, meaning that without NeXT, Apple’s most iconic products—the iPhone and iPad—might not exist. Think about that for a second…

• The Job Title: After returning to Apple, Jobs initially called himself “iCEO,” which stood for “interim CEO.” It wasn’t until 2000 that he officially dropped the “i.”

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