Today, longtime insider John Ternus took the reins as CEO of the $4.6 trillion tech giant Apple, succeeding Tim Cook after his 15-year run at the helm. It took Ternus more than two decades to reach the top of Apple’s corporate ladder—and along the way, he learned that even the most accomplished workers will question whether they’re up to the task. The CEO fought uncertainty and impostor syndrome by following one key mindset.
“Always assume you’re as smart as anyone else in the room, but never assume that you know as much as they do,” Ternus told University of Pennsylvania’s engineering graduates in 2024. “With this mindset, you’ll find the confidence you need to push forward, but more importantly, the humility to ask questions and learn.”
