Surely the business community and loyal Apple customers globally were saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest leaders and innovators of our time, perhaps all time. We certainly have come to know him for his passion, persistence and perseverance as well as his intellect and ability to innovate.

Consider for a moment his failures in business as well as his successes. Especially with Apples resurgence and market dominance in recent years, running contrary and opposite to many economic trends, its easy to forget that Steve Jobs had once been fired from the very company he co-founded. Yet, he returned once again to lead that company and drive its next wave of innovation and technological leadership, far beyond all expectations and conception. This time, however, he was markedly more successful in achieving another feat that will also forever define him and his leadership he engendered the true loyalty of all Apple employees with his humanity and dignity, all while knowing that his untimely death was imminent. Unlike the first time around, he did not let his relentless pursuit of perfection damage relationships with those around him who always believed in him, yet sometimes could not tolerate being in the same room with him when things were not going well in those earlier years.

What was different this time around? Interestingly enough, Steve Jobs had at age 19 turned to Buddhism in defining his spiritual core and values. While he always adhered to Buddhist tradition and discipline, he did not always reflect that in his workplace demeanor and leadership style. Buddhism is of course renowned for, among other traits, its focus on pursuit of inner peace. Among the chief tenants of the faith is acceptance, an understanding that we cannot change all that is around us or all things external that effect us, yet we can still serve the greater good through our actions, patience and example. Surely his faith permitted him to face his own demise with serenity, as death in Buddhist tradition brings the ultimate inner peace. We know quite well that his illness and the realization of his own ultimate fate never dampened his passion for innovation that has now and forevermore become his personal hallmark, as well as a defining quality of the Apple corporate culture.

As a student of business, one could easily claim the second coming of Steve Jobs to Apple as the more successful of the two phases of his career. While Apple originally produced computers and operating systems that many saw as superior to other more accepted standards, they could not achieve dominance in the commercial market space. Apple computing was relegated to the creative industries marketing, advertising, fashion, etc., while the PC / Microsoft standard took over the corporate world. Now, Apple has produced personal connectivity devices of choice and has redefined the landscape in profound, permanent ways. Other platforms are attempting to catch up with apps for their devices. The iPad has become the envy of the industry, as it has bridged the gap between smart phone and laptop computer. It has also achieved other small miracles, as evidenced on CBSs 60 Minutes this past weekend. The iPad is now showing huge potential in becoming a voice for the autistic, as the interfaces created by Apple have taken one more step toward emulating and, in this case, enhancing the human experience.

As spiritually intentional leaders, we can perhaps see the greater successes of the second and latter phase of Steve Jobs leadership as the result of his spiritual maturity, individually, and consequently his greater capacity for spiritually intentional leadership. The greater good was truly served by this reformed version of his leadership, leaving a lasting positive impact on Apples corporate culture as well as a lasting social impact on all of us who have come to truly love the innovative products and services provided by this beloved innovator and company.

Much will be said about Steve Jobs in the weeks, months and years to come, but let us at ANE also reflect on his successes as a true spiritually intentional leader. ANE Leader Joe