I think this is an amazing example of an employee who is a bad fit. Ron was clearly a star at Apple but he was a dud at J.C. Penny. There will be lots of arguments about why that is, from classic operational economics to somewhat fuzzier buyer happiness metrics, but the more interesting message is that the problems can't be fixed by swapping out one piece.

This is true in groups too. I've seen groups lose a star player, only to have another 'star' swapped in but with a different vibe and it all goes to hell. This seems to be magnified with CEOs.

I know that I do not have the fortitude that it takes to be successful in a walmart/target/costco kind of retail space. So I wish him luck.