Maybe Ive is an exceptionally talented designer but a poor senior executive. Steve kept Ive in check in a way Cook didn't appear to have done. Maybe its equally a failing of Cook.
And I say this as someone who is terribly excited Ive is leaving and hoping for more funcional products.
Considering all that I’ve had done, it might be hard to tamper him down. He might (wild speculation incoming) have thought of himself as equal to Steve and maybe he didn’t take it well to keep reporting to someone else. I mean he still speaks of Steve with a slightly absurd level of reverence.
Ive was equal to Steve. That was part of the agreement they came to, and why he was given the CDO title.
In his shoes and with his talent and ability to leave, I also would not have agreed to be in charge of all design only to have Steve Jobs keep veto power over me.
And I say this as someone who is terribly excited Ive is leaving and hoping for more funcional products.