I was expecting some real wisdom in this story, but I don't think this qualifies him as a technical leader in any way. I don't even think this needed the cargo-cult-y "leaving the room and coming back with a paper that changes everyone's mind." Couldn't he have just asked for a plan? And the ROI? That seems like management 101.
I have no love for him, but he is a genius. This story doesn't do him any justice (nor is the paper particularly compelling).
My point was not to qualify Jeff as a technical leader (though he is an excellent technical leader, IMO). Rather, my goal was to give people a sense for his leadership style, and what it's like to be in a high level meeting at Amazon.
I'm sorry you find the Rickover memo uncompelling. Speaking as an experienced engineer, I happen think it's among the best pieces of engineering writing ever produced.
