"IMO the fact that he was an asshole is probably related but not essential."
I disagree. He did not only gather ideas; he made sure that there were good ones, too. Doing that requires probing deep, and probing deep hurts. I think he also worked on his efficiency by dismissing people who didn't have high ratios of good ideas, and wasn't afraid to ditch a good or even an excellent idea for a better one. That must have hurt those with those good ideas.
Can one do that without being coming over as an asshole? Probably, but not efficiently.
That does not mean he was an all-out asshole, though. For example, from the little I read, Jobs cared for his family. Because of that, I would call him ruthless, not an asshole.
It is a bit like being an world-class athlete. They will do whatever is necessary to improve their sporting ability. You simply cannot become best of the world by thinking "that is her only chance at the Olympics. Let her go; my chance will come", or without sacrificing something or someone in you social life. Does that make them assholes? IMO: no.
I disagree. He did not only gather ideas; he made sure that there were good ones, too. Doing that requires probing deep, and probing deep hurts. I think he also worked on his efficiency by dismissing people who didn't have high ratios of good ideas, and wasn't afraid to ditch a good or even an excellent idea for a better one. That must have hurt those with those good ideas.
Can one do that without being coming over as an asshole? Probably, but not efficiently.
That does not mean he was an all-out asshole, though. For example, from the little I read, Jobs cared for his family. Because of that, I would call him ruthless, not an asshole.
It is a bit like being an world-class athlete. They will do whatever is necessary to improve their sporting ability. You simply cannot become best of the world by thinking "that is her only chance at the Olympics. Let her go; my chance will come", or without sacrificing something or someone in you social life. Does that make them assholes? IMO: no.