After a remarkable 15 years at Apple, Tim Cook is stepping down as the company’s CEO. Now, he just has one simple wish about how he should be remembered. When asked about this legacy, Cook did not point to Apple’s growth or financial success. In an interview with CBS News’ Jo Ling Kent, Cook mentioned that he hopes people remember him as “a good and decent man.”
Cook said, “If they say that at the end of the day, I feel like I have achieved something.” His comments show he views his time at Apple, leading one of the biggest tech companies in the world.
Tim Cook Took Over From Steve Jobs
Cook became the Apple CEO in 2011, after he took over from Steve Jobs as Jobs’ health continued to deteriorate. Jobs passed away the same year, after battling pancreatic cancer. For Cook, his journey has been filled with many biggest leadership challenges in the industry, He had spent years at Apple, joining the company in 1998 as senior vice president of worldwide operations. Later, he became chief operating officer in 2005. His experience in managing Apple’s supply chain became a major part of his preparation for the CEO role.
John Ternus To Become New Apple CEO
Apple is now geared up for another huge leadership transition. John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become the new CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook has already shared some advice with his successor. During Apple’s second-quarter earnings call, he said one of the most important decisions Ternus will make is how he chooses to spend his time.
“What I’ve told him is that one of the most important decisions he’ll make is where to spend his time, and I would spend it where the greatest benefit to the company and the users are,” Cook said.
Cook also urged Ternus to remain focused on Apple’s larger purpose rather than getting distracted by individual decisions or challenges. “And never forget the North Star for the company. We’re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people’s lives,” he said. From September 1, he will serve as executive chairman and is expected to remain involved in selected areas of the company.
