Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ FBI file was released on Feb. 9, 2012, bringing to light some pretty interesting information. Most of the report contained information already known by the public, but some things that were quite shocking.
The FBI did a very thorough background check on Jobs in 1991 as he was being considered for a position in George H.W. Bush’s administration. This file has just now been released under the Freedom of Information Act after it was requested by the Wall Street Journal.
It included many interviews with friends and colleagues of Jobs. The names of the people interviewed were removed, but they did shed some light on his personality. They said that he “will twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals.” This could be seen as a negative or a positive characteristic, depending on situation.
Certainly you would not want someone distorting reality in a personal relationship, but what about in the business world? You might say that this is what gave Jobs the ability to sell his products so effectively to his customers. He had a very unique ability to relate to the consumer and have them believe every word he was saying.
The document also brought up the topic of Jobs’ history with drug use. It claimed that he had experimented with marijuana and LSD. While this shouldn’t come as a surprise to many people, it is interesting considering the outcome of the investigation the FBI was holding.
After all was said and done, the personality traits and the drug use were not enough to make Jobs appear to be unsuitable for the position. Of those interviewed, the general consensus was that he would succeed if appointed to the Bush’s Export Council. Not too bad for a guy whose colleagues felt he was of questionable moral character.
Regardless of any new reports on the late technological pioneer, there is no denying the contributions that Steve Jobs has made to not only today’s world, but also to the future. Apple is doing better than it ever has, and there are no signs of that changing anytime soon.