[lapcat]

> given the company's performance after the iPod launch they would never second guess him

This is the point though. It only lasts as long as the stockholders have confidence in the leadership. If the stockholders start to worry about the future performance of the stock, they can replace everyone, including the CEO and board of directors.

Cook was a known, safe choice to the stockholders. Whereas if Jobs had chosen some kind of maverick or outsider as his successor, the stockholders would be very worried about that.