As a young adult, Chet Kapoor harbored a dream of working alongside the tech legend, Steve Jobs. Kapoor took a leap of faith and landed an internship at NeXT, a software company founded by Jobs. While Kapoor started off as an intern, doing simple tasks like making coffee, he was just a stone’s throw away from the visionary himself. This close proximity to Jobs allowed Kapoor to observe the inner workings of Jobs’ mind and learn from his leadership style.
Kapoor’s journey didn’t stop at being an intern. He went on to become the CEO of Apigee, a cloud software company that was later acquired by Google in a multi-million dollar deal. Kapoor’s success story is not just about his rise to the top, but also about the valuable lessons he imbibed during his time at NeXT. He attributes a large portion of his success to the impactful experience of working with Jobs.
One key takeaway from Kapoor’s time at NeXT was the emphasis on product and design. Jobs created an environment where user experience was paramount. The company’s focus on creating great products resonated deeply with Kapoor, shaping his own philosophy of leadership. This user-centric approach is reminiscent of Apple’s culture, where Jobs famously quoted, “Everything starts with a great product.”
Although consumers may only see the surface-level beauty of a product, Kapoor emphasizes the hardcore engineering that goes into its creation. For Jobs, engineering excellence was at the core of product development. Kapoor recalls Jobs’ dedication to driving a strong engineering culture within the organization, ensuring that the focus remained on crafting high-quality products. This disciplined approach to innovation left a lasting impact on Kapoor’s leadership style.
Kapoor’s journey from being a curious teenager in India to a successful tech CEO in Silicon Valley is a testament to his persistence and unwavering pursuit of his dreams. Inspired by a book on Steve Jobs and Apple, Kapoor took decisive steps to fulfill his ambition of working with the tech giant. Through his dedication and hard work, Kapoor turned his childhood dream into a reality, showcasing the power of resilience and dedication in achieving success.
Chet Kapoor’s internship experience with Steve Jobs at NeXT served as a pivotal point in his career trajectory. The time spent working alongside a tech icon instilled valuable lessons in leadership, innovation, and product-centric thinking. Kapoor’s journey from a humble intern to a seasoned CEO is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and hands-on experience. The legacy of Steve Jobs lives on through the lives of individuals like Chet Kapoor, who continue to carry forward the principles of excellence and innovation in the ever-evolving tech industry.
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