I also have loved the commencement speech of Jobs!!
We have friends who are retired from the police force, as officers & detectives. Hats off to them & their families, good to see the ways areas of the country are recruiting.
Great story today, Bill. Letting go is one of the hardest things we do at any point in life, but it becomes harder as we age. It becomes an acknowledgment that we are mortal, and who wants to hear that? As always, Understandably was a fresh start to a new week. I always appreciate your perspective and calm presentation.
words matter. Pres Biden "abandoned" his campaign. Totally not true and completely ignores the efforts he put into keeping it going and how difficult this decision was for him, and we all saw that play out. Pres Biden just turned on a dime. No, so many things impacted this decision over the past year and then over the past weeks since the debate. He asked for important information on whether he could still win, and got it. Your reporting is imprecise and seems biased too.
Bill is not the only one that used that word “Zients then convened Biden’s White House and campaign senior staff for a 1:45 p.m. call, so that Biden could tell those who had worked closest with him he was abandoning his dream of a second term.” From the Post today. Also, that is what Biden did.
I’m thinking maybe you have some bias against that word. He didn’t abandon his kids, just his campaign. Quit, gave up, moved on, abandoned. Words don’t matter that much. Bottom line. He did the right thing, by abandoning a second presidential campaign.
With all due respect, I would love to hear how you think I'm biased -- toward what or against what?
Here are Biden's exact words: "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
I said he "abandon[ed] his reelection effort and endors[ed] Vice President Kamala Harris ..."
I don't see a significant difference between "stand down" and "abandon." But I'm open to pushback as always.
Yes! To the point, and it is a matter of fact, the best way to control what one has made during their life is to provide a successor who hopefully continue on the path made.
Best done while one is still alive & kicking & able to guide.
Hmm, good column but i would take issue with your remark that change is always exciting. Honestly, most people hate or are frightened of change. If you're leading a change effort at a company - and leadership succession is definitely in that category - it's important to constantly reassure/remind employees about the things that aren't changing: core values, mission, etc. I assume Tim Cook did a fair amount of that, which helped insure Apple's continued success.
I'm finally figuring out that there is no right way to go about writing on Substack. If your readers enjoy you, they'll be there regardless of whether you have it all figured out or not.
It's the punch line I've been looking for: "You have to let go of the very human concern that succession planning is about finding a replacement and instead think of who might be able to lead in his or her own way, and to destinations you might never dream of." We want certainty to assuage our anxiety about the unexpected. That leaves out all the wonderful possibilities. We get what we expected when we over plan -- or maybe even less than that. The expected is based on our assumption of the past, circumstances, people, resources that don't happen again. It's time to reframe what this country needs by putting out there the scenarios of the unprecedented, unexpected future. Then, tell me who the DNC should nominate and we should elect.
Nature is in a constant tearing down/renewal process. Those of us in the western(theological)traditions seem to think that we are somehow apart from Nature and entitled to “eternal life”; not necessarily in heaven but here on earth. We are so scared of Death that we really cannot fully live. This is why Steve Jobs’ decision was so impactful and has led many, such as you Bill, to remember it.
We’ve heard “smooth transfer of power”, pertaining to handing over the reins of government here in the US, from one party to the other, without thinking maybe, of what it means overall for the stability of not only ourselves, but for the rest of the world. We all saw what happens though when that smooth transfer was threatened on Jan. 6, 2021 and is likely to happen yet again if a certain person doesn’t “win”.
We, as a grown up country now, have got to make the possibility of a smooth transfer much more realistic. Back to Jobs for a minute, what if a large cadre of egotists on Apple’s board of directors had decided they could ignore his choice of Tim Cook and revolt for a person of their own choosing? No doubt the stock price would have dropped, employees may have felt threatened and Apple’s(the company)destiny could have been drastically altered.
President Biden’s decision and subsequent enforcement of his Vice President was monumental in so many ways. It was on someone’s Substack posting that the President had been working on this with two of his most trusted advisors for a few weeks(maybe since the debate?). They got through the necessary paperwork needed to seamlessly turn over the money from the Biden/Harris campaign to the Harris/? campaign so this was in no way a snap decision on President Biden’s part. He read the doctor’s report that told him he had so many days left so he made what had to be maybe the most difficult decision of his life, and passed the torch off to Kamala Harris, his choice for VP when he decided to run and to whom the reins of power would have gone if something had happened to him.
*note to Congress; try to do something about bugaboo electoral college! It’s a dangerous joke now.
Brilliant as usual Bill. This story on Jobs hits the situation perfectly for President Biden to graciously step aside for a younger generation of leaders.
I just hit 60 and I am the old guy at work that puts things into context and shares the company’s traditions and culture, but I remember when I was the new guy replacing the old. Beautiful.
Aw man! Thanks! I'm 53 ... I should be over this by now (wait, my therapist tells me never to use the word "should;" I should listen to her. D'oh!). Anyway, there is part of me that is still conditioned to be the young kid, ahead of his time, the first 20-something hired at the regional newspaper in a decade or the youngest baby of the new group of attorneys at the Justice Department etc ... but then I find myself watching a 2-minute TikTok video 7 times to try figure out what "brat" means and why this is apparently a good thing for Kamala Harris.
Retirement is sooo nice. I do what I want when I want and still never seem to have enough time to do everything.
I made sure there were capable team members/ leadership in place before I left and also made sure the “garbage” was taken out as well. Leave things better than you found d it!
Darrell if I stop to think about it, I feel like you were the equivalent of Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star in the journalism industry, escaping and heading off into sufficiently funded retirement just ahead of the entire thing blowing up!
Thank you for your reply Bill. I was truly surprised you have the time to respond with all the responses you must receive from readers of your terrific dailies. Your optimism newsletter is something I've shared with my daughters when I find the subject is something they will listen to since it's not dad preaching to them. I've shared some snippets with co-workers, again when the topic pertains to something going on at work that a shot of optimism or perspective is needed in that moment. Keep up the great work. It brings meaning to so many of us.
Wonderful story today. Much needed. Some plan better than others.
I also have loved the commencement speech of Jobs!!
We have friends who are retired from the police force, as officers & detectives. Hats off to them & their families, good to see the ways areas of the country are recruiting.
That speech was one of the best ever!
Great story today, Bill. Letting go is one of the hardest things we do at any point in life, but it becomes harder as we age. It becomes an acknowledgment that we are mortal, and who wants to hear that? As always, Understandably was a fresh start to a new week. I always appreciate your perspective and calm presentation.
Thank you so much Jackie!
words matter. Pres Biden "abandoned" his campaign. Totally not true and completely ignores the efforts he put into keeping it going and how difficult this decision was for him, and we all saw that play out. Pres Biden just turned on a dime. No, so many things impacted this decision over the past year and then over the past weeks since the debate. He asked for important information on whether he could still win, and got it. Your reporting is imprecise and seems biased too.
Bill is not the only one that used that word “Zients then convened Biden’s White House and campaign senior staff for a 1:45 p.m. call, so that Biden could tell those who had worked closest with him he was abandoning his dream of a second term.” From the Post today. Also, that is what Biden did.
I’m thinking maybe you have some bias against that word. He didn’t abandon his kids, just his campaign. Quit, gave up, moved on, abandoned. Words don’t matter that much. Bottom line. He did the right thing, by abandoning a second presidential campaign.
With all due respect, I would love to hear how you think I'm biased -- toward what or against what?
Here are Biden's exact words: "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
I said he "abandon[ed] his reelection effort and endors[ed] Vice President Kamala Harris ..."
I don't see a significant difference between "stand down" and "abandon." But I'm open to pushback as always.
You are in no way biased. Here is point 3 of the definition of the transitive verb:
To surrender one's claim to, right to, or interest in; give up entirely: synonym: relinquish.
"abandon a belief. "
Yes! To the point, and it is a matter of fact, the best way to control what one has made during their life is to provide a successor who hopefully continue on the path made.
Best done while one is still alive & kicking & able to guide.
Hmm, good column but i would take issue with your remark that change is always exciting. Honestly, most people hate or are frightened of change. If you're leading a change effort at a company - and leadership succession is definitely in that category - it's important to constantly reassure/remind employees about the things that aren't changing: core values, mission, etc. I assume Tim Cook did a fair amount of that, which helped insure Apple's continued success.
Fair point, I suppose if I were to rewrite I might say something more like "the risk of being too exciting."
I for one think necessary change is almost always exciting.
Great article. Glad you're back on Substack.
Thank you. I haven't figured it all out yet, but I'm trying!
I'm finally figuring out that there is no right way to go about writing on Substack. If your readers enjoy you, they'll be there regardless of whether you have it all figured out or not.
It's the punch line I've been looking for: "You have to let go of the very human concern that succession planning is about finding a replacement and instead think of who might be able to lead in his or her own way, and to destinations you might never dream of." We want certainty to assuage our anxiety about the unexpected. That leaves out all the wonderful possibilities. We get what we expected when we over plan -- or maybe even less than that. The expected is based on our assumption of the past, circumstances, people, resources that don't happen again. It's time to reframe what this country needs by putting out there the scenarios of the unprecedented, unexpected future. Then, tell me who the DNC should nominate and we should elect.
Nature is in a constant tearing down/renewal process. Those of us in the western(theological)traditions seem to think that we are somehow apart from Nature and entitled to “eternal life”; not necessarily in heaven but here on earth. We are so scared of Death that we really cannot fully live. This is why Steve Jobs’ decision was so impactful and has led many, such as you Bill, to remember it.
We’ve heard “smooth transfer of power”, pertaining to handing over the reins of government here in the US, from one party to the other, without thinking maybe, of what it means overall for the stability of not only ourselves, but for the rest of the world. We all saw what happens though when that smooth transfer was threatened on Jan. 6, 2021 and is likely to happen yet again if a certain person doesn’t “win”.
We, as a grown up country now, have got to make the possibility of a smooth transfer much more realistic. Back to Jobs for a minute, what if a large cadre of egotists on Apple’s board of directors had decided they could ignore his choice of Tim Cook and revolt for a person of their own choosing? No doubt the stock price would have dropped, employees may have felt threatened and Apple’s(the company)destiny could have been drastically altered.
President Biden’s decision and subsequent enforcement of his Vice President was monumental in so many ways. It was on someone’s Substack posting that the President had been working on this with two of his most trusted advisors for a few weeks(maybe since the debate?). They got through the necessary paperwork needed to seamlessly turn over the money from the Biden/Harris campaign to the Harris/? campaign so this was in no way a snap decision on President Biden’s part. He read the doctor’s report that told him he had so many days left so he made what had to be maybe the most difficult decision of his life, and passed the torch off to Kamala Harris, his choice for VP when he decided to run and to whom the reins of power would have gone if something had happened to him.
*note to Congress; try to do something about bugaboo electoral college! It’s a dangerous joke now.
Brilliant as usual Bill. This story on Jobs hits the situation perfectly for President Biden to graciously step aside for a younger generation of leaders.
I just hit 60 and I am the old guy at work that puts things into context and shares the company’s traditions and culture, but I remember when I was the new guy replacing the old. Beautiful.
Aw man! Thanks! I'm 53 ... I should be over this by now (wait, my therapist tells me never to use the word "should;" I should listen to her. D'oh!). Anyway, there is part of me that is still conditioned to be the young kid, ahead of his time, the first 20-something hired at the regional newspaper in a decade or the youngest baby of the new group of attorneys at the Justice Department etc ... but then I find myself watching a 2-minute TikTok video 7 times to try figure out what "brat" means and why this is apparently a good thing for Kamala Harris.
I think your therapist is on to something.
want = choice = commitment
should = decide = sacrifice
Retirement is sooo nice. I do what I want when I want and still never seem to have enough time to do everything.
I made sure there were capable team members/ leadership in place before I left and also made sure the “garbage” was taken out as well. Leave things better than you found d it!
Darrell if I stop to think about it, I feel like you were the equivalent of Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star in the journalism industry, escaping and heading off into sufficiently funded retirement just ahead of the entire thing blowing up!
I am uncomfortable with giving one person the job of picking successor. For the next several times. Takes us further away from the democratic process.
Is that happening now?
Thank you for your reply Bill. I was truly surprised you have the time to respond with all the responses you must receive from readers of your terrific dailies. Your optimism newsletter is something I've shared with my daughters when I find the subject is something they will listen to since it's not dad preaching to them. I've shared some snippets with co-workers, again when the topic pertains to something going on at work that a shot of optimism or perspective is needed in that moment. Keep up the great work. It brings meaning to so many of us.