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There is a quote I revisit often in my own leadership journey:
“CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday.”
– Vic Gundotra
To understand the quote, it helps to know the context. Below is the story behind it, as originally shared by Vic Gundotra.
The Story Behind the Quote
Icon Ambulance
Shared by Vic Gundotra
One Sunday morning, January 6th, 2008, I was attending religious services when my phone vibrated. Discreetly, I checked the screen and saw “Caller ID unknown,” so I ignored it. After the service, while walking to my car with my family, I checked my voice messages.
The message was from Steve Jobs. “Vic, can you call me at home? I have something urgent to discuss.” Before I reached my car, I called him back. I was responsible for Google’s mobile applications and regularly interacted with Steve, which was one of the privileges of the role.
“Hey Steve, this is Vic. Sorry I didn’t answer earlier. I was in services and didn’t pick up because the caller ID was unknown.”
Steve laughed and said, “Vic, unless the caller ID said ‘GOD,’ you should never pick up during services.”
Although Steve often called during the week when he was upset about something, it was unusual for him to call me on a Sunday and ask me to call his home. I wondered what could be so urgent.
“So Vic, we have an issue I need addressed right away. I have already assigned someone from my team to help, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow.”
Then he explained the problem. “I have been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I am not happy with the icon. The second O does not have the right yellow gradient. It is wrong, and I am going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Are you okay with that?”
Of course, I agreed. A few minutes later, I received an email from Steve with the subject line “Icon Ambulance,” instructing me to work with Greg Christie to correct the icon.
Apple products had been part of my life since I was eleven years old. Even after working fifteen years at Microsoft, I had deep admiration for Steve and what Apple created. When I think about leadership, passion, and attention to detail, I always return to that Sunday morning phone call.
It was a lesson I never forgot. CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday.
– Vic
Why This Story Matters for Leaders
This story shows that leadership is not about perfectionism for its own sake. It is about setting a standard. It is about recognizing that the smallest details often shape the entire user experience. It is also a reminder that every element of a product reflects your brand, your values, and your commitment to excellence.
As technology leaders, we balance strategy, operations, talent, budgets, risk, and transformation. We make decisions measured in millions of dollars and years of organizational impact. Yet time and again, I have learned that the details matter just as much as the big strategic moves.
They are where trust is built.
They are where customers feel the difference.
They are where culture is shaped.
They are where craftsmanship shows up.
Caring About the Details Without Micromanaging
Caring about the details does not mean micromanaging. It means having a vision clear enough that even the gradient of an app icon becomes part of the experience you want to deliver.
It means showing your teams that quality is not a department. It is a mindset. It is modeling the pride and ownership you want others to bring to their work.
Steve’s call to Vic was not about yellow pixels. It was a message about leadership.
Where Excellence Lives
Great leaders care.
They care on weekdays.
They care on weekends.
They care when no one is watching.
They care because they understand that excellence lives in the details.