Disney’s Returning CEO has made TIME Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Most Influential People of 2023 and shared some reflections on his victory lap.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has made the list of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2023. Iger was interviewed and he talked about returning to Disney, the reorganization of the company and the situation in Florida with DeSantis. pic.twitter.com/YILXgy7PLi
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 13, 2023
Posted on the cover of TIME once again, Bob Iger talked through what seems to be a heroic return to The Walt Disney Company, from rescuing the reigns from the now-ousted CEO Bob Chapek to the navigational expertise that supposedly landed Disney World the victor in the fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
His return was sudden and very unique, but it turns out that Iger equates his return to that of Apple Founder Steve Jobs.
Related: Bob Iger Says He Would be “Glad” to Meet With Ron DeSantis
When TIME asked him, “Is there anybody to whom you’re looking who’s done a similar thing,” Iger said:
The person that I think most of, that I was fortunate enough to have observed very closely, is Steve Jobs. He was brought back to a company that he had founded—very different circumstances. But speaking with him when I did, and reflecting on what his experiences were—I’ve taken a lot from that. One is when you are brought back, and you agree to come back, you have to do so with unbelievable enthusiasm, and not an ounce of hesitation. And then you have to know very quickly what it is you’re expected to accomplish and what it is you can accomplish. And then go at it with incredible resolve, incredible zeal, and incredible energy.
It is well-known that Iger and Jobs retained a strong professional and personal relationship through the end of Jobs’ life, and it has been argued that the friendship was a key factor in Iger’s ability to acquire Pixar Animation Studios.
Iger also reiterated that his decision to come back was influenced by his wife, recapping the night he got the fateful call from the Board of Directors after only being officially gone for eleven months. Before picking up the phone, he asked her what if they were going to ask him back, to which she simply said, “Yes.” It was after that that a surprised Bob Iger said yes to the Board’s request without any further hesitation.
Determined to cut billions in current costs, increase investments in the Theme Parks, and return power and accountability back into the hands of its creative storytellers, Iger will remain in charge of The Walt Disney Company for a maximum of two full years while proper work is done to ensure the right successor is chosen.