Time published its annual list of its 100 most influential people. This list is about influence, not about popularity, courage, or accomplishment. Near the top of the list is Apple CEO Tim Cook. He is introduced as “a courageous innovator” by John Lewis, a civil rights leader and Democratic Congressman from Georgia:

It could not have been easy for Tim Cook to step into the immense shadow cast by the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. But with grace and courage and an unabashed willingness to be his own man, Tim has pushed Apple to unimaginable profitability—and greater social responsibility. He is setting a new standard for what business can do in the world. Tim is unwavering in his support of an individual’s right to privacy and is not only embracing equality and LGBT rights but advocating for change through his words and actions. His commitment to renewable energy is also leaving our planet a little cleaner and a little greener for generations yet unborn.

Above all, he has shown that profitability and integrity can go hand in hand. Tim has done this while introducing, time and again, some of the most innovative products the world has ever seen. Tim Cook is proof that even the most successful companies can and should be judged by more than just their bottom line.

At the bottom of the page is a timeline you can scroll through to get a sense of the path that took Tim from his birth in Mobile Alabama to where he is today.

Also of note, Airbnb founder Brian Cheskey’s intro was written by Jony Ive.

As is the case with all lists, there’s plenty to argue about. Kanye West as the most influential person? I think that’s a stretch. But there’s plenty of interesting content here to go through.

[HT: Sébastien Page]