I need you to answer 3 discussion post questions from my peers and state whether you agree or disagree: 1. I have chosen to complete the Fortune 500 CEO comparison using Apple, as from what I have read, has had two of the most contrasting leadership styles in the last 20 years that we were all witness to. Steve Jobs and Tim Cook contributed significantly to the company's success and continued success. Leadership Traits Tim Cook Steve Jobs Teamwork High Low Control of Employees Low High Visionary Moderate High Attention to Detail High High Customer/Shareholder Service High Moderate/Low Tim Cook encourages collaboration, teamwork, and a democratic work environment. The change in team environment team success was a push by Tim Cook. He included himself in team decisions and could be questioned or challenged. The Tim Cook era took the customers requests and input, and customer service was placed higher on the list than in previous times, which helped Apple remain with the market share. The highlight of showing that Tim Cook cares for the customer and shareholders is that he can apologize when the company fails and acknowledges shortcomings. Steve Jobs was known as an authoritarian leader and dreamer. He was part of Apple in the beginning, was pushed out and came back in the late 90s and is viewed as the one who made Apple what it is today. Steve Jobs was also known for his extreme attention to detail, micromanaging, and aggressive tactics with employees. These traits sound negative, but without Steve Jobs, there would be no Apple, and without Apple and some of its widely used products, we would not have many of the products/competition we have from other companies. Both CEOs have been highly successful in their time as CEO of Apple. Steve Jobs gave us the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, utilizing visionary ideas and deciding that they were possible and Apple would be the one to do it. Tim Cook pulled together the different groups and teams within Apple to create further progression and customer satisfaction. Jobs was tasked with building this company that needed to be fixed and revived, and Cook was charged with maintaining and growing the base. 2. I have chosen Jeff Bezos and, former CEO and Andy Jassy, current CEO of Amazon for my comparison. These two men are very similar in many ways but when it comes to understanding and appreciating a balance of work and personal life Jassy has Bezos beat. With Bezos being the founder, Amazon is his creation and his baby and he cannot see that anything else including a home life is more important. This characteristic does not make for happy employees. Jassy has been an inside employee at Amazon for a long time and appreciates that employees need a life outside of work (Jeff Bezoss successor, n.d.). As we have leaned throughout this course, happy employees are more productive, efficient, and loyal. These two men share many traits such as competitiveness, detail oriented, determination, and empowerment. Jassy has a s.

1. I need you to answer 3 discussion post questions from my peers and state whether you agree or
disagree:
1.
I have chosen to complete the Fortune 500 CEO comparison using Apple, as from what I have
read, has had two of the most contrasting leadership styles in the last 20 years that we were all
witness to. Steve Jobs and Tim Cook contributed significantly to the company's success and
continued success.
Leadership Traits Tim Cook Steve Jobs
Teamwork High Low
Control of Employees Low High
Visionary Moderate High
Attention to Detail High High
Customer/Shareholder Service High Moderate/Low
Tim Cook encourages collaboration, teamwork, and a democratic work environment. The change
in team environment team success was a push by Tim Cook. He included himself in team
decisions and could be questioned or challenged. The Tim Cook era took the customers requests
and input, and customer service was placed higher on the list than in previous times, which
helped Apple remain with the market share. The highlight of showing that Tim Cook cares for
the customer and shareholders is that he can apologize when the company fails and
acknowledges shortcomings.
Steve Jobs was known as an authoritarian leader and dreamer. He was part of Apple in the
beginning, was pushed out and came back in the late 90s and is viewed as the one who made
Apple what it is today. Steve Jobs was also known for his extreme attention to detail,
micromanaging, and aggressive tactics with employees. These traits sound negative, but without
Steve Jobs, there would be no Apple, and without Apple and some of its widely used products,
we would not have many of the products/competition we have from other companies.
Both CEOs have been highly successful in their time as CEO of Apple. Steve Jobs gave us the
iPod, iPhone, and iPad, utilizing visionary ideas and deciding that they were possible and Apple
would be the one to do it. Tim Cook pulled together the different groups and teams within Apple
to create further progression and customer satisfaction. Jobs was tasked with building this
company that needed to be fixed and revived, and Cook was charged with maintaining and
growing the base.
2.
I have chosen Jeff Bezos and, former CEO and Andy Jassy, current CEO of Amazon for my
comparison. These two men are very similar in many ways but when it comes to understanding

2. and appreciating a balance of work and personal life Jassy has Bezos beat.
With Bezos being the founder, Amazon is his creation and his baby and he cannot see that
anything else including a home life is more important. This characteristic does not make for
happy employees. Jassy has been an inside employee at Amazon for a long time and appreciates
that employees need a life outside of work (Jeff Bezoss successor, n.d.). As we have leaned
throughout this course, happy employees are more productive, efficient, and loyal.
These two men share many traits such as competitiveness, detail oriented, determination, and
empowerment. Jassy has a strong focus on customer satisfaction which he points out in his
introduction letter to his employees.
As far as success, this may be difficult to determine as Andy Jassy only started in 2021 and his
first year was rocky given the challenge of the pandemic as well as inflation (Annierpalmer,
2022). Stock prices peaked just after he took over but plummeted to all time low since 2001.
Jeff Bezos on the other hand was said to be the number one CEO in the world (Martin, R.,
Goleman, D., & Collins, J., 2017). Bezos was very successful, going from an online bookstore
in 1994 to an ecommerce giant worth $1.8 trillion (Jr., T. H., 2021).
Leadership traits and who possesses them How they help the organization
Competitive Bezos and Jassy Enables company to perform better than
competitors
Detail oriented Bezos and Jassy Catch mistakes before they snowball
Work/life balance Jassy Increase productivity, lower absenteeism
Accountability Jassy Increase in commitment and morale
Customer focus Jassy Develops loyalty and trust
Motivation Bezos Drive employees to meet goals
Determination Bezos and Jassy Provides guidance and motivation
Empowerment Bezos and Jassy Increases productivity and work culture
3.
Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, and his leadership style has been described as
empathetic, collaborative, and focused on innovation (Hollar, 2023). Nadella emphasizes the
importance of empowering employees and building a culture of trust, while also driving growth
through acquisitions and partnerships (Microsofts Next Act, 2018). Significant changes have
been made at Microsoft during his leadership, with a shift in the company's emphasis from
hardware to software, cloud computing and their presence in the AI and IoT sectors.
Jack Welch was the CEO of GE from 1981 to 2001 (Jack Welchs Approach to Leadership,
2021). Welch was known for his aggressive leadership style, often referred to as "Neutron Jack"
for his tendency to "eliminate" underperforming businesses and employees (Conklin, 2022).

3. Welch also put a lot of attention on cost-cutting methods, with a focus on production and
efficiency. GE saw considerable growth and rose to become one of the most valuable
corporations in the world during his tenure.
Here's a chart comparing some key leadership traits of Nadella and Welch:
Trait
Satya Nadella
Jack Welch
Vision
Innovative, focused on AI and IoT
Focused on efficiency and productivity
Management style
Empathetic, collaborative
Aggressive and ruthless
Focus
Building a culture of trust and empowerment
Cost-cutting, eliminating underperforming businesses and employees
Approach to change
Embraces change, encourages innovation
Change is necessary, but it must be managed aggressively
Welch and Nadella both achieved outstanding achievements as CEOs while having quite
different leadership styles. Microsoft has become one of the most valuable companies in the
world because to a focus on innovation and growth. GE went through a period of significant
expansion and financial success, and the company grew to rank among the most valuable in the
world.
In terms of key leadership traits, both CEOs have strengths that could benefit an organization.
Nadella's focus on innovation and accepting change helped the business stay one step ahead of
competitors. His goal was to create a culture of trust and empowerment. Welch's attention to
productivity and efficiency are traits that can benefit a business in cost-cutting and profit-
boosting initiatives. He also embraces change aggressively, which can benefit a business with
quickly adapting to shifting market conditions.
Trait
Satya Nadella
Jack Welch
Vision

4. Innovative, focused on AI and IoT
Focused on efficiency and productivity
Management style
Empathetic, collaborative
Aggressive and ruthless
Focus
Building a culture of trust and empowerment
Cost-cutting, eliminating underperforming businesses and employees
Approach to change
Embraces change, encourages innovation
Change is necessary, but it must be managed aggressively