Bill Gates has long admired the natural speaking ability of his contemporary, Steve Jobs. Known for his captivating speeches, including his famous 2005 Stanford Commencement address, Jobs had a talent for appearing effortless and unrehearsed.
In a recent interview with Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast, Gates expressed his envy of Jobs’ skill, stating, “Steve Jobs was a natural. It was always fun to watch him rehearse because part of his genius was, when he would finally do it, he would make it look like he’s just thinking it up right there. I’ll never achieve that level.”
Gates and Jobs, representing Microsoft and Apple respectively, spent years on stages around the world, persuading audiences of the transformative power of technology. Gates referred to this mission as “evangelization,” emphasizing the importance of storytelling in making technology relatable and impactful. He remarked, “A big part of the job I had at Microsoft and the job I have now is explaining what we’re up to in a hopefully straightforward way that connects with a particular audience.”
Despite his achievements, Gates continues to strive for the same level of natural, impactful communication that Jobs mastered. In a 2019 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Gates reiterated his wish to possess Jobs’ magical speaking skills, noting that his causes are immensely impactful and need to capture public attention effectively.
In summary, Bill Gates’ admiration for Steve Jobs highlights the critical role of effective communication and storytelling in the tech industry. Gates’ ongoing efforts to connect with audiences underscore the enduring legacy of Jobs’ oratory magic.
