Nikola Tesla's Departure from General Electric
Tesla left GE after a dispute over royalty payments and control of patents, citing philosophical disagreements with management.
Resolution: His departure led to public disputes and weakened his financial standing, though his legacy was later reevaluated as foundational to modern electrical engineering.
Elon Musk's Early Struggles at PayPal
Musk was ousted from his role at X.com amid internal conflicts before its merger with PayPal, despite earlier co-founding the company.
Resolution: He retained significant equity post-merger and later became CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, turning early setbacks into massive long-term gains.
Steve Jobs' Ouster from Apple in 1985
Jobs was forced out of Apple following a boardroom clash over product direction and corporate strategy.
Resolution: He returned in 1997 to lead Apple’s revival, ultimately transforming it into the world’s most valuable corporation.