Steve Jobs possessed a unique trait that distinguished him from the majority of individuals, which Tim Cook has also acknowledged.

Steve Jobs taught Tim Cook a great deal during the 13 years they worked together at Apple.

Cook said that he was fortunate to work with his longtime mentor and that the lessons he learned from him justified his decision to leave a good job at Compaq to join Apple in 1998.

Cook stated that he believed he had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with a pioneer who founded the entire industry.

Cook was particularly fond of one specific skill he learned from Jobs, he stated: "Not being tied to my past beliefs. Not being so stubborn that I can't alter my stance when presented with new evidence. He was able to adapt in this manner. Initially, I was taken aback by this. However, I became increasingly captivated by it."

Jobs' ability to change his mind on any topic was considered a brilliant skill, which is not as common as one might think.

Cook stated that only a small number of individuals possess that ability, as they tend to cling to their previous beliefs after getting married.

Research indicates that people tend to hold onto their beliefs due to emotional biases, such as fear or anger, making it challenging for them to deviate from their established opinions, even when presented with new evidence, according to a 2022 study by University of Connecticut human development professor Keith Bellizzi.

Research suggests that leaders can benefit from cognitive flexibility, which involves seeking out and weighing a range of informed opinions, to make better decisions.

One of Jeff Bezos' leadership principles, as outlined by Amazon, is that effective leaders "are often wrong, but they learn from their mistakes." This principle emphasizes the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives, and being willing to adapt and adjust course when necessary.

"In a speech at the Pathfinder Awards in Seattle in 2016, Bezos stated that with practice, one can increase the frequency of being correct. He added that individuals who are frequently right tend to be good listeners and are also more likely to change their minds."

Jassy, the current Amazon CEO, inherited Bezos' approach to questioning his beliefs and seeking feedback from diverse perspectives to arrive at the best possible solution for customers or the business.

Similarly, Jobs passed the trait to his successor, Cook.

"Cook added, "He loved debating and having someone to debate with. You could always change his mind if you had the best idea. We changed each other's minds, which is why it worked so well.""

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