Apple’s new CEO John Ternus once told Gen Z to ‘never assume’ they know as much as others—he says it’s the mindset hack that will push you forward

John Ternus, Apple's new CEO, has taken over from Tim Cook following a 15-year tenure at the tech giant. Ternus, who joined Apple as an engineer in 2001, has spent two decades climbing the corporate ladder at Apple. He once advised University of Pennsylvania's engineering graduates to "never assume" they know as much as others, but rather "never assume that you know as much as they do."

This mindset, Ternus says, gave him the confidence to push forward while also encouraging humility and a willingness to learn. Ternus' journey to the top of Apple included learning that even successful workers question their abilities, but community with smart peers can help navigate uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing learning and the value of building something that interests and excites them, while also aligning with their values.