C2 Evolution CEOs

C2 leadership speaking lesson

The Evolution of CEOs

Examine the tension between visionary leadership and personal cost through a short case study of Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs presenting an iPhone, from the original lesson background
LevelC2 proficiency
ThemeLeadership duality
FormatPair work
Time5–7 minutes

1 · Watch 1 minute 37 seconds

The dark side of success

Watch once for the central argument. Watch again and note one leadership strength and one human cost.

Strength

Which trait appears to have driven innovation or loyalty?

Cost

Which behaviour seems to have harmed colleagues or relationships?

2 · Vocabulary 5 minutes

The duality of genius

Check the ten meanings. Use at least six or seven terms naturally during the pair task.

Adjectives

  • mercurial — subject to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
  • visionary — showing original ideas, imagination and foresight.
  • abrasive — harsh in manner and showing little concern for others’ feelings.
  • relentless — continuing without pause, weakening or compromise.
  • insatiable — impossible to satisfy; driven by an unending appetite.

Nouns

  • hubris — excessive pride or overconfidence that may lead to downfall.
  • charisma — compelling charm that inspires loyalty or enthusiasm.
  • legacy — the lasting impact or reputation a person leaves behind.
  • maverick — an independent person who rejects convention.
  • audacity — boldness that may border on recklessness or impudence.
3 · Pair decision 5–7 minutes

Choose the biopic tagline

You are advising a film studio. Which one sentence best captures the central paradox of Steve Jobs’s personality and leadership? Choose only one.

“A visionary maverick whose insatiable curiosity changed the world—but at a brutal human cost.”
“Relentless genius fuelled by audacity and charisma, undone by his own hubris.”
“He was mercurial and often abrasive, yet his legacy proves that true innovation demands discomfort.”

  1. Choose: select one tagline independently.
  2. Justify: explain your choice using the target vocabulary.
  3. Challenge: question your partner’s choice politely with a counterargument.
  4. Agree: settle on one final tagline; rephrase it slightly if needed.
Polite challenge: “While I see the appeal of that description, isn’t it rather reductive given his…?”
4 · Quick follow-up 1 minute

The indispensable trait—and the damaging one

Which of Steve Jobs’s traits was most indispensable to Apple’s success, and which was most detrimental to the people around him?

Give a concise answer, use two target words, and acknowledge one possible counterargument.