Work Ethic
Elon Musk is known mainly for his high work ethic and his ambition. He is the founder and CEO of several successful companies and he has been responsible for developing some of the most advanced technology and innovations of our century. His passion to transform the world, and the desire to make an impact is what drives him forward. For instance, Musk was the chief innovator behind Tesla, SpaceX, OpenAI, Neurallink, Boring Company, and others, which have already changed the way we live and what we perceive a possible future to be.
Musk’s work ethic has been highly admired and praised by many of his colleagues and peers. The billionaire insists on working long hours – 8.6 days to be exact – and will work up to 80 hours per week working on his companies. Such is the level of commitment that Musk puts into his work, he even admitted to registering a few all-nighters, in which he would stay up till late and then start again at 5am.
His commitment and drive to achieve his goals can be attributed to his success, as well as his ability to understand the importance of team work, collaboration, and communication. A senior engineer at SpaceX, Kate Tice, spoke highly of Musk’s work ethic saying “He always knows what’s going on, is focused on advocacy for his cause, and understands the importance of communication.” She added “He is humble, always willing to learn and grow, and wants others around him to do the same and push themselves to innovate.”
His close associates are known to have noticed that Musk is also open to feedback, advice, and constructive criticism. This might explain his putting great emphasis on communication and collaboration in the workplace. Washington Post reported that he had managed to transform the SpaceX offices into a somewhat “social club”, in which people feel comfortable working with each other and exchanging ideas.
Leadership Style
Musk is known for his strong influence and leadership capabilities. Inside the companies he runs, Musk is mainly focused on innovation. His innovative mindset and ambition to make an impact pushes him to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions. He has been able to bring a lot of creative thinking to the table in his companies, which has been essential for its growth and success.
The entrepreneur is also known for his relentless effort to solve problems. People around him have noticed that he has an uncompromising attitude towards problems or issues in his companies. He is always looking for ways to deal with issues and any obstacles placed in his way. According to many of his peers, this has enabled him to be successful in his field and make a real difference.
On the other hand, the billionaire is known to have very little patience with those who can’t keep up with his demanding and high standards. At the same time, he very clearly communicates his expectations to his team to make sure they do their best. This was tested when Musk was on the verge of taking Tesla public in 2010. Reportedly, he was very hard on his team but also had a very deep trust in them.
This combination of tough standards and a trusting attitude towards his team has allowed Musk to remain an efficient leader. This is exemplified by the fact that he is currently at the head of several innovative companies, setting a trend for the way we live and what technology we use.
Ambition
Musk is known to be highly ambitious and focused on achieving his goals. At the forefront of Tesla, SpaceX, OpenAI and Neuralink, Musk has devoted his entire life to problem-solving and making an impact in the world. Just looking at Musk’s journey, it is clear that he has been working with ambitious goals in mind and he sets no limits to what he can achieve.
His ambition is shared by many of his colleagues and employees who strive to accomplish their goals under his guidance. Musk has a way of inspiring his team, whether it’s with his words, decisions or his bold statements. As mentioned before, he’s constantly pushing and challenging his team, while also working towards his final goal himself.
Musk’s ambition has been a major factor in transforming the world. With his ambitious and daring mission for SpaceX, for example, Elon proved that humanity can accomplish things that seemed impossible. His Tesla also wants to move away from gasoline-powered cars and transition to electric cars, a goal that seemed impossible until Musk made it a reality.
The billionaire has stated in the past that his main drive is the goal of improving the world. He wishes to solve big problems, and it is fair to say that he has been succeeding at it.
Influences
Musk’s leadership style, attitude, and ambitions are often attributed to his influences. One of them is his father, Errol, who was a very entrepreneurial person and has taught Musk to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. His father’s behaviour and attitude had a great influence on Elon during his childhood and set up the basis for his later successes.
The other influence that comes to mind is the role and influence of the internet in helping him to change the world. Musk has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for the internet and its potential. He was also one of the first investors in internet companies. Musk believes that the internet is a powerful tool that could help humanity to move forward and progress.
The billionaire further drew much of his inspiration from science fiction and has credited authors such as Asimov, Heinlein and of course, Stanly Kubrick for inspiring him to pursue the projects he does today.
Personal Life
Musk has an interesting personality and despite his demanding work, he still manages to have time for his family and some of his passions. The billionaire has expressed in the past that he is passionate about board games which he enjoys playing with his five sons. He also expressed his admiration for physics, music, philosophy and mathematics.
For other hobbies, he speaks three languages, is a tech maniac, and plays chess and terrible ping-Pong. He also has an appreciation for cars and planes, which shows in his lifestyle and projects.
The entrepreneur also believes in having an open-minded attitude when it comes to his relationship with his team. Musk pushes his team to be innovative and open-minded about their ideas and this is demonstrated by his attitude when he speaks to them.
Finally, Musk is not shy when it comes to expressing his political and economical views. He is an advocate of free-market economics and believes that government should provide citizens with some basic benefits such as healthcare and education.
Summary
Throughout the years, Elon Musk’s personality has evolved, but his ambition to make an impact and his passion for innovation have remained the same. His commitment, drive, ambition and close-to-perfect work ethic are factors that have set him apart and helped him become one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our century. On the other hand, Musk has managed to be a successful leader by making sure his team is engaged, pushing them to think outside the box, while also being open to collaboration, constructive criticism, and feedback.
Musk’s ambition is further fuelled by his father’s influence and advice, as well as the internet’s potential for progress. Finally, despite being very dedicated to his work, the billionaire also makes sure to have some time for his family and his hobbies such as cars, planes, and board games.
