Steve Jobs and Elizabeth Holmes paint a stark picture of authenticity versus artifice. Jobs, often harsh and direct, delivered groundbreaking products that changed computing. His 1997 “Think Different” campaign came after having revolutionized personal computing with Apple II. Holmes borrowed his black turtleneck style and bold promises, but Theranos never produced a working blood testing device despite raising $945 million.
Sam Bankman-Fried built an image of the ethical billionaire, pledging his fortune to effective altruism. Meanwhile, FTX was hemorrhaging customer funds. In contrast, Vanguard’s Jack Bogle spent decades championing low-cost index funds, saving investors an estimated $1 trillion through reduced fees.
Some cast shadows. Others cast light.
Leadership isn’t about mastering the narrative. It’s about mastering the work. Daily actions reveal the truth, while carefully crafted words often conceal it.
Actual influence compounds silently through consistent delivery, not through viral LinkedIn posts.
