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How You Can Get Sacked #2 – Loose Control

07
Nov 2011

Steve Jobs was a technical icon and genius. He was also emotionally unstable and had very low impulse control. This is according to his fascinating Biography by Walter Issacson which I am enjoying.

Steve would describe other colleagues at Apple and their work as “shit” and have emotional tantrums, even cry if he couldn’t get his way. He seemed unable to control his drive and passion, if he wasn’t in control. In the early years he was so difficult they sacked him and kept on John Sculley instead.

One live example of a very senior leader I know called Richard (not his real name) was that his low impulse control got him sacked. In a long overdue moment of frustration with his boss, he shouted at him and pushed a piece of furniture towards him. He was immediately fired. He has spent the last 2 years regretting it and the loss of his ideal job.

Developing more intelligent emotions and mitigating the risks of you derailing is what a lot of my work involves. The benefits are significant. The risks of doing nothing are unacceptable.

You decide.

Warm regards Jonathan

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