Fortune pays compliments to Apple's "imperious, brilliant CEO [who] transformed American business"

Nov 5, 2009 15:48 GMT  ·  By

Not surprisingly, Fortune Magazine has crowned Steve Jobs “CEO of the Decade.” The magazine posted a video coverage of the CEO’s achievements, as well as a story that truly highlights the importance for Apple (and not only) of having a guy like Jobs around for guidance.

The magazine highlights a seemingly “revived” Steve Jobs, who not only remodeled entire industries, but also defied the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, and serious health problems. Titled, “The decade of Steve,” the Fortune report reveals that, “The past decade in business belongs to Steve Jobs. What makes that simple statement even more remarkable is that barely a year ago it seemed likely that any review of his accomplishments would be valedictory.” “But by deeds and accounts, Jobs is back,” Adam Lashinsky writes for the magazine.

Lashinsky points out to Jobs’ medical leave saying, “It's as if his signature 'one more thing' line now applies to him as well,” Lashinsky writes. ‘After a six-month leave of absence in the early part of this year, during which he received a liver transplant, he is once again commanding a 34,000-strong corporate army that is as powerful, awe-inspiring, creative, secretive, bullying, arrogant -- and yes, profitable -- as at any time since he and his chum Steve Wozniak founded Apple in 1976.”

A complete listing of all of Steve Jobs' achievements over the years cannot be compiled in such a report, nor would it be enough to explain why the magazine chose him as CEO of the Decade, Lashinsky suggests. Still, he does try to paint a picture of the CEO’s touched bases, saying that, “In the past 10 years alone he has radically and lucratively reordered three markets -- music, movies, and mobile telephones -- and his impact on his original industry, computing, has only grown.” Lashinsky concludes by saying, “Remaking any one business is a career-defining achievement; four is unheard-of.”

To see the “Steve Jobs - CEO of the Decade” video, head over to this page.