Tim Cook said no to Apple until Steve Jobs gave him ‘one Big reason’ to say Yes

There’s in an interesting story behind Apple CEO Tim Cook joining Apple in 1998. Way back in 1998, Apple CEO Tim Cook worked as an executive with then thriving company Compaq. For those unaware, Compaq was the world’s leading PC manufacturer in at that time.

During the same time, Apple was having a tough time and the company was struggling hard to stay afloat. Despite the repeated attempts to hire Tim Cook, the now Apple CEO declined the offer — until a five-minute meeting with Apple founder Steve Jobs changed everything.

A comfortable career at Compaq

At that time, Tim Cook was rising as an executive at Compaq and was enjoying a stable and successful job. On the other hand, Apple was seen as a sinking ship.

Dell CEO Michael Dell also famously suggested Apple should “shut it down and give the money back to shareholders.” Also, Cook had no intention of leaving his comfortable position at Compaq and join Apple. Many times Cook rejected the offer of joining Apple with a polite “no thanks.

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The meeting that changed everything

Curious about the potential and perspective about Steve Jobs convinced Cook for a meeting. “Steve created the whole industry that I’m in,” Cook later said.

He walked in with no intention of taking the job—but Jobs’ vision quickly shifted his perspective. Jobs talked about the future and about corporate clients. Jobs definition of success relied on his consumers. He described a new kind of computer, unlike anything on the market.Within just five minutes, Cook’s analytical mind gave way to instinct. “I can make a contribution here,” he thought. Working with Jobs, he realized, would be “the privilege of a lifetime.”

Ignoring the experts

Many experts and fellow CEOs asked Cook not to join Apple and many of friends also called him a “fool” for considering the move. Cook on the other hand, saw something which others missed. He identified the ability of Steve Jobs to see the world with “beginner’s eyes”. So instead of the conventional wisdom, Cook trusted his gut and joined Apple. Tim Cook joined Apple in March 1998 as head of worldwide operations. Later on Steve Jobs said that he trusted Cook so deeply that he could “just forget about a lot of things.”