Part 8/13:
John Scully’s leadership of Apple from around 1983 to the mid-1990s is a case study in misjudgment. Brought in during Steve Jobs’ absence, Scully’s tenure is now widely regarded as a period where Apple lost its innovative edge. His decision to oust Jobs in 1985 led to a stagnating product lineup, bloated complexity, and deteriorating market relevance.
By the late 1990s, Apple was close to bankruptcy before Jobs returned to reverse its fortunes. Scully admits that choosing Jobs would have been the better option, exemplifying how executive conflicts and misaligned vision can jeopardize a company's future.