To say that Steve Jobs was a complicated man would be a HUGE understatement of fact.  Steve Jobs was without any doubt a genius, visionary, and marketing master.  It is also a true statement to say that there is not an aspect of our lives that is not touched by Jobs or one of Jobs’ creations.  And that goes far beyond Apple and iPods, iPads, and iPhones…  The personal computer (Apples AND PCs) were both shaped and refined by the amazing creativity of Steve Jobs.  The entertainment industry was dramatically affected by Jobs and PIXAR.  And the world was forever changed by one man…Steve Jobs.

Walter Isaacson’s writing style is engaging and compelling.  I listened to Steve Jobs on audio book and it was difficult to “put the book down.”  I will be honest, the Biblical size of the book itself was a little overwhelming, but on the other hand, the audio books was 24+ hours long…  It’s an exhaustive narrative of Job’s life, loves, creations, and vision!

Looking through the prism of leadership, Steve Jobs is NOT the model for any business leader or corporate boss.  His moods would swing from rapt infatuation to furious anger, and at times he would cry and throw a temper tantrums much like a petulant small child.   Jobs would rally his corporate troops to push themselves to create WORLD CHANGING devices and tools and then back stab a past business partner out of sheer spite.

Steve Jobs was never truly loyal to family or friends, including his own children, but even in his last days, he was excited about the newest Apple device about to come out.  In many ways Jobs was a very unlikeable man, but in spite of his blustery personality, he was driven by art, design, and simplicity.

My favorite parts of the book was the PIXAR era, and I think that Jobs was most creative and, dare I say, happiest, when he was working with John Lasseter and the PIXAR team.  But even as Steve was helping to create movies like Toy Story and A Bugs Life, Jobs was also fighting with Disney and helping to oust Michael Eisner and usher in a new era for Disney Animation.

Steve Jobs was a creative genius and visionary.  And I think that he achieved his goal to change the world.  But to hear his story, I was struck by a sadness knowing that  he was driven by his abandonment as a child and his lack of moral center.  He spent his entire life trying to find enlightenment and wisdom, but at the end of his life, he was just like any other man.  And to hear about all of the amazing coincidences that happened for Jobs to make the connections to create amazing companies like Apple and PIXAR which brought about world changing devices and entertainment.

I did not know Steve Jobs, but I am sure that I would have been in awe of him, but I am equally sure that he would have been uninspired by me.  But that was the dichotomy of Steve Jobs.  People, ideas, or devices were either great or they were crap.  His vision, his genius, his creativity is worthy of study and emulation, but as a man, Steve Jobs is not a hero.  I feel sorry for him.  But I am thankful for his life and his creations.  We are a better world for his life.

I have been a fan of  Tony Morgan ever since I heard of him and NewSpring Church.   I love the way he thinks, I dig his blogs, and I enjoy his Tweets.  When Killing Cockroaches came out, it shot up to Number 1 on my Wish List of books to read.  It did not disappoint.  It’s written in a very unique style that I enjoyed, and easily understood.

Killing Cockroaches isn’t actually ABOUT killing cockroaches, although, Tony DOES offer many, very helpful ideas to murder the little buggers, but the book IS about “responding the urgent stuff in our lives that keeps us from doing the important stuff in our lives.” There are TOO many nuggets of wisdom to pick out just a few, but in honor of Tony’s penchant for Top Ten Lists, I’d like to honor him by writing one of my own.  Therefore,

TOP TEN REASONS TO READ

Killing Cockroaches by TONY MORGAN

1. You get to read the thoughts and ramblings of one of today’s most innovative and influential church leaders.
2. Killing Cockroaches is written in small, short mini-chapters.  In fact, Michael Mears says that “it’s the perfect book for toilet reading.” And as we all know, good toilet books are few and far between.
3. You get a sweet picture of Tony is his “dead sexy” rental Ford Mustang on page 71.
4. Tony includes “5 Questions” interviews with great leaders and thinkers like Craig Groeshel, Mark Batterson, Nelson Searcy, and Seth Godin.
5. You find out about a little place called Nothing, Arizona.
6. You are challenged to think about what you hold up as core values, your strategic goals, and the value of relationships.
7. You discover that Tony Morgan really dislikes country music.
8. You will learn the 10 Stupidest Leadership Decisions Tony has made (pgs. 182-186).
9. Then you learn that if Tony Morgan makes mistakes, maybe it’s not so bad when you mess up.
10. Because of reading Killing Cockroaches, you become a better leader, better minister, and a better person.

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