Something Bold.

In 1983, Steve Jobs did something bold.

He looked across the table at Pepsi’s president, John Sculley, and said:

“Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life?

Or do you want to come with me and change the world?”

Sculley chose to join him.

That was quite bold and daring. You wonder how such a small boy was able to convince one of the most experienced CEOs of the time to abandom Pepsi and join a startup. 

By the way, Sculley was 16 years older than Jobs. When Sculley became CEO of Apple in 1983, Jobs was 28 years old, and Sculley was 44. 

It however turned out that that single moment would spark one of the most shocking betrayals in business history.

Because just two years later…

John Sculley led the boardroom vote to fire Steve Jobs from his own company.

Would you believe that?

Yes — Apple fired its founder.

But the real story?

It’s not just about ego.

It’s about vision, power, and what happens when two leaders believe in different futures.

Let’s rewind.

Apple was growing fast. Too fast.

Steve Jobs was a wild genius—brilliant, creative, but chaotic.

He inspired people… but also overwhelmed them.

Apple needed structure, which Jobs couldn't offer. Investors wanted a grown-up in the room.

So Steve brought in John Sculley—a polished executive, with a sharp business mind and marketing magic from Pepsi.

Jobs believed Sculley would handle the business…

While he focused on changing the world.

But they were heading for a crash.

Steve Jobs had a dream: the Macintosh — a computer that felt human.

He poured everything into it.

Sleepless nights. Huge budgets. Perfectionism that drained his team.

But when the Macintosh launched in 1984, it flopped.

It looked great. It was revolutionary.

But it was too expensive and too slow for real work.

Apple started losing money.

And the board began to worry.

Sculley tried to rein Jobs in.

Jobs pushed harder, refusing to compromise.

What started as a partnership…

Turned into a power struggle.

And Sculley made a decision:

“Steve can’t run this company. He’s too reckless.”

So he went to the board.

And the board agreed.

In 1985, Steve Jobs walked into a boardroom, full of people he hired…

And they voted to strip him of all power.

The company he started in a garage…

The company he sacrificed for...

Was no longer his.

He was only 30.

That alone can break anyone, especially at such age.

But not Jobs.

After leaving Apple, Steve was heartbroken.

But he didn’t give up. He simply called forth his ingenuity and creativity.

He started two new companies:

1. NeXT — a powerful computer platform

2. Pixar — yes, that Pixar. The animation studio that made Toy Story

Both became instant hits.

In 1997, Apple was struggling and near collapse.

And guess who they brought back?

Steve Jobs.

He returned without grudges, rather with fire in his bones.

Within 10 years, he launched the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

And the man who was once fired…

Became the greatest comeback story in business history.

Listen, your greatest asset remains the quality of your brain. People can strip you of all physical assets and you can reclaim all within years or even months if you are sure of the power that resides in you.

So What Can We Learn From This?

✅ Visionaries can be hard to handle… but they often see what others don’t.

Don’t dismiss them just because they don’t fit the system.

✅ Good leadership isn’t just about control—it’s about direction.

Sculley kept Apple steady. But Steve gave Apple soul.

✅ Failure isn’t the end.

Being fired didn’t kill Steve’s dream—it refined it.

✅ Always believe in your own magic.

Even when the world votes against you… don’t quit on yourself.

✅ Legacy isn’t built in comfort.

It’s built in the fire of rejection, risk, and reinvention.

Steve Jobs didn’t just build a company.

He built a culture.

He made tech feel human.

And though he was once pushed out…

He came back to change the world for good.

So next time you feel rejected, undervalued, or pushed aside…

Remember this:

Sometimes, your biggest breakthrough starts with your biggest setback.

#SteveJobs

#AppleStory

#BusinessLessons

#FoundersVsCEOs

#Leadership

#TechHistory

#VisionMatters

#Resilience

#PowerMoves

#EntrepreneurshipJourney

Kachi Ogbonna