Everyone here is shocked and saddened by the news that Steve Jobs is taking another leave of absence.
Whatever ails him, we hope he is treated successfully and makes a speedy recovery. Our sincerest best wishes go out to him and his family.
However, subtle differences in his two leave-of-abscence letters make us wonder whether things aren’t a little more serious this time around.
Looking back, there may have been a couple of signs of Steve’s failing health.
Steve was rumored to be at Verizon’s iPhone announcement event last week and at the launch of Rupert Murdoch’s The Daily iPad newspaper. He was a no-show at the Verizon event, and The Daily launch has been pushed back for weeks.
Was the launch of the digital newspaper delayed for Steve’s treatment and recovery? If it’s only for a few weeks, it may be a sign that his illness is quickly treated.
However, look at Steve’s letter when he took six month’s leave in early 2009:
Team,
I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.
In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.
I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.
Steve
There’s a definitive timeline. He’ll be out for six months and will return in the summer, which in fact, he did.
This time around, Steve’s letter is open ended. There is no timeline, and no optimistic note of return. Here’s his from this morning:
Team,
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.
Steve
The penultimate line — “I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can” — is very emotional and heartfelt. It’s also a little ominous. It reads as though he isn’t sure about coming back to Apple. It’s like he’s got his fingers crossed.
Of course, we hope this isn’t the case, and it could mean nothing. We could be be reading more into this than it deserves. But this note has an ominous, unsettling tone.
Get well soon Steve.
