Tim Cook says he is not meddling in Apple after CEO handoff

Check your tech suppliers this month. Tim Cook walked through Apple's Battersea campus in London and sat down for a rare interview about his new desk. Tim Cook stepped down as Apple CEO last month, passing the top job to John Ternus after years of quiet planning. You might picture a messy boardroom battle, but Tim Cook calls it a textbook handoff designed to give the new boss wind at his back. John Ternus started his tenure by launching the iPhone Duo, a product line fully mapped out before the switch. Tim Cook now holds the title of executive chairman and focuses strictly on worldwide policy and government relations across the globe. "I'm not meddling. I'm not a meddler," Tim Cook told reporters. He explained that trust and frequent communication keep the lines clear between him and John Ternus. When asked what advice he gave the new leader, Tim Cook kept it short: "Don’t mimic me." For your shop, giant leadership shifts at companies like Apple ripple down to supply chains, software updates, and retail inventory schedules. Even when the boardroom handover goes smoothly, a new chief executive officer brings a different playbook for the devices on your shelves. At least nobody has to worry about Tim Cook hovering over the keyboard. Sometimes letting go means letting the other guy buy the coffee.