Apple CEO Tim Cook on Career Planning

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APPLE CEO AND FUQUA ALUM TIM COOK TALKS LEADERSHIP AT DUKE

Tim Cook spoke to students and alums when he returned for his 25th reunion

"Explore everything. Push the corners of your mind. Just get on this kind of continual learning roller coaster and see what happens."

This was among the advice Apple CEO Tim Cook shared with students at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business on April 26th. Back on campus for his 25-year reunion, Cook took part in an hour-long dialogue with Fuqua Dean Bill Boulding and the students in a jam-packed Geneen Auditorium buzzing with excitement to hear from the leader of the world's most profitable company.

The Apple CEO has embarked on a career far different than he had envisioned after graduating from Fuqua's Evening Executive MBA program in 1988. "For me the journey was not predictable at all. You have to find your own north star and stay with your north star."

As 450 Daytime MBA students prepared to graduate, Cook advised the students to heed Abraham Lincoln's words of wisdom: "I will prepare and someday my chance will come."

Cook shared the three keys to his leadership at Apple: people, strategy, and execution. "If you get those three right the world is a great place."

Students were able to get a unique glimpse into Cook's motivation, inspiration and leadership role models. Raised in the south and a witness to racial injustice, Cook described his admiration for Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Junior's bravery in risking their lives to fight for what they believed in. He has just three photos in his office: two of Kennedy and one of King.

Cook was asked when to follow strict principles of business theory and when to break the rules. His response stressed the importance of risks and learning from failure. "You should rarely follow the rules. What Fuqua teaches you so well is how to learn and how to collaborate. Write your own rules."

This message resonated with first-year MBA student Shelby Hall. "I know this follows Steve Jobs' belief that Apple creates products which consumers didn't ever know existed," she said. "It was interesting to hear Tim Cook's perspective on how we should balance writing our own rules while applying the foundations of business taught here at Fuqua."

Cook also spoke about some of his recollections from Fuqua. "The people made it an incredible experience. It was great for me to see how bright people approached solutions in different ways."

First-year MBA student Juan Danzilo says Cook's willingness to share his experiences shows a deep commitment to Fuqua. "Tim Cook's presence reflects Fuqua's sense of community. His humility and eloquence is admirable. It certainly was a unique opportunity for MBA students to hear from such an inspirational leader."

[destinyglitches]

“Goals in pen. Plans in pencil”
-random tweet

[TJGUNC]

I agree with the likely futility of a 25 year plan. Too much change happens in the world ad in your life to see that far forward (Apple barely existed when Mr Cook was in MBA school). However, there is definitely value in a shorter term plan. As for the long term, having ethical standards, a sense of what you are capable of, a willingness to stretch beyond what you think you are capable of, and a willingness to adapt is really all you can do. Yes, be prepared to take advantage of good fortune.

[whyttitude]

What he said back then, is still relevant today.

[KandyLucia]

25 year plan? Wow! Thank you for the inspiration, Mr. Cook!

[mirbusiness]

I think there isn’t a perfect career goal or plan that can fit for us. Because life is so versatile and diverse, it is not a place where you can be one thing and be that for rest of your life.
The goal for me to be financially free, have my freedom of time too. And be prepare for that. Not like I will be a doctor or a Software Engineer.

[vincentjanse]

24 months is still pretty damn accurate.

[I-See-In-The-Dark]

Tim speaks normally in this instead of a robot like he does in interviews now!

[imtiazulh.]

what's the north star that i'm supposed to follow?

[CandyLemon]

The wisdom in this content fostered significant personal growth. A similar book I read was a key life experience. "The Hidden Empire: Inside the Private Worlds of Elite CEOs" by Adam Skylight

[srivin]

and finally he comes out IPHONE oh steve jobs apple is dust without you

[TheGreat]

Stay with the north star and find your journey.

[black_baron_net]

☠BLACK BARON☠ Can we get folder creations in SYNC in IMAP technology after decades? The folders are not alphabetically in sync on OSX when I create the IMAP mailbox folder on iPad. C'mon USA ... get the US Software job done! I get ZERO Eurodollars per hour to test your Software spaghetti code every day!

[ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Being a white male doesn't hurt either. 😂