Marc Andreessen, a billionaire venture capitalist, described Steve Jobs as “one of the most disagreeable people in the history of humankind,” but also recognized this trait as part of Jobs’ genius. Andreessen shared insights about Jobs on the “A16z” podcast, highlighting Jobs’ tendency to challenge everything, even down to the shape of a glass on a table. He emphasized that Jobs’ refusal to accept the status quo was where much of his brilliance stemmed from. Andreessen, who knew Jobs in the 1990s, noted that Jobs and Elon Musk shared a similar “first principles thinking” approach, breaking down complex problems to their fundamental elements before rebuilding them. Despite differing portrayals of Jobs as either a saint or a demanding leader, Andreessen believed the truth lay somewhere in between. He praised Jobs for recognizing and rewarding excellence, creating an environment where top performers thrived. Many who worked with Jobs attested to producing their best work under his leadership.
