Watch Tim Cook discuss his first days at Apple in a commencement speech

Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered a commencement speech to George Washington University’s class of 2015 today. Much of it is classic end-of-college fare (Life is “about finding your values and committing to live by them”), but it does provide a little insight into Steve Jobs’ leadership style and Cook’s early days at Apple.

Cook discusses Jobs’ return to Apple in the late ‘90s, saying, “In 1997 or 1998, Apple had been adrift for years,” but that Jobs was “an idealist” who believed he could make the company thrive again with a little optimism and elbow grease. “I met someone who made me question everything, who upended all of my assumptions in the very best way... That was Steve Jobs.”

He also goofs around a little with the audience, saying at the start of the speech, “Those of you with an iPhone, just place it in silent mode, and those of you who don’t have an iPhone, please pass it to the center aisle. Apple has a world-class recycling program.” Cook ends the speech by taking a photo of the graduates with his iPhone.