‘I think I will always be…’ Apple CEO Tim Cook on his retirement plan

Tim Cook

Who will be the next CEO of Apple if Tim Cook resigns? This question has sparked countless debates and given rise to endless rumours across the internet. Speculations about Cook stepping down from his role at Apple have been going around for quite some time. But without an official word from Cook or Apple, the piece of information that floats around should be taken with a grain of salt.

However, Cook recently spoke about his retirement plans on a podcast called "Table Manners" with Jessie and Lennie Ware. In the podcast, Cook hinted that he may not be leaving his powerful position anytime soon or may not be in a way people expect him to.

When asked if he ever plans to retire, Cook didn’t shy away from the question. “Sure,” he said, but not in the traditional sense. For him, retirement doesn’t mean slowing down or stopping altogether. “I don’t see myself at home doing nothing,” he shared. He also stressed upon his need to stay mentally active and engaged.

“I’ve always been wired to think about how tomorrow can be better than today,” he explained. That drive has been part of his nature since childhood. “I was working when I was 11 or 12,” he recalled.

While most people at his position and age might look for something that isn't too consuming, Cook does not want to be in a comfortable space, “You want to be pushed a bit. You want to be uncomfortable a bit,” he said. He added that he finds joy on being outside his comfort zone and taking on new challenges.

Well, Cook did not really share any concrete plans but one thing was certain– his idea of retirement is not about stepping away from meaningful work. He wants to stay active, curious and committed to making the world better.