Did Steve Jobs need to say more in his resignation statement?
Communications experts differ on whether the departing CEO should’ve mentioned his health in his farewell announcement.
One thing conspicuously missing from his farewell letter or Apple’s news release announcing Jobs’ resignation is any mention of the departing CEO’s health. In January, Jobs announced he was taking a leave of absence from the company for medical reasons. Jobs was first treated for pancreatic cancer in 2004.
Also, though Jobs’ Wednesday statement predicts “Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it,” the company’s news release gives only basic information about new CEO Tim Cook.
Is Apple saying enough to reassure its employees, stockholders and fervent fans? Opinion is divided.
The health issue
“I don’t think Apple was open enough about this from the very beginning,” says Lex Perryman, a professor at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business and co-author of the article, “When the CEO is ill: Keeping quiet or going public?”
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