Influences
Elon Musk is the chairman and CEO of several rapidly growing companies, such as Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity. He is one of the most accomplished entrepreneurs of our time, credited with some of the most revolutionary changes in the technology industry in recent years. But who does Elon Musk admire?
Musk has made a point of looking up to leaders in the technological, media, and business world. Among them, he credits Bill Gates and J.B.S. Haldane for shaping his way of thinking. Musk believes that it’s these individuals who have the most influence on him, both in terms of business and his personal life.
Musk’s admiration for Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, begins with the fact that Gates has been able to make exceptional contributions to society while producing some of the world’s most important software. Musk also has been greatly influenced by Steve Jobs, the legendary founder of Apple, whom he praised for his vision, tenacity, and approach to problem-solving.
Leadership
Most of Musk’s admiration and respect comes from the leaders of his companies, who he credits with much of his success. Marco Villa, Tesla’s former vice president of vehicle engineering, was one of Musk’s strongest influences, according to Elon himself. Villa’s engineering and construction management skills helped Musk turn his vision into reality.
Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX, has earned Musk’s admiration for her leadership, focus, and passion for the space exploration mission. During her tenure with SpaceX, Shotwell has turned the company into a powerhouse capable of regularly completing difficult and technically challenging missions.
Financial Management
An important person to Elon Musk is William H. Gross, who was the founder of Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO). Musk admired Gross’s financial management skills and the fact that he was able to make wise investments without taking too much risk. Gross had an impressive ability to sense the right time to make the right investments and to capitalize on financial opportunities.
Musk’s other financial idols are Warren Buffet, who is known as an investment genius, and Charlie Munger, Buffet’s Vice Chairman. Buffet and Munger have both been credited with having an incredible talent for thoughtful risk management.
Influential Writers
When it comes to influential writers, Elon Musk has praised the works of Douglas Adams and J.R.R. Tolkien. Adams’s science fiction novels, particularly The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, have been massively influential in the technological world and provided Musk with a unique insight into space exploration and the possibilities of what could be. Tolkien’s books, such as The Lord of the Rings, have also been featured in many of Musk’s tweets and are seen as one of his favourite inspirations.
Philanthropy
Musk also has great admiration for philanthropists such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson and Richard Fairbank. These individuals have all had immense success with their respective businesses, but have also become great philanthropists, donating their time and resources to various causes and charities around the world. Musk has been influenced by their contributions and has been known to join up with them in philanthropic pursuits.
Musk’s Impact on Others
Last, but not least, Elon Musk is remembered and admired by many of the people in Silicon Valley. He is seen by many as an inspiration, as a pioneer of the tech world and a great problem-solver. Musk himself has stated that many of his ideas were inspired by people he had conversed or was in contact with.
Inspirational Figures
In addition to the tech industry, Elon Musk looks up to the inspirational figures in history such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. He has praised Gandhi’s eloquence and commitment to non-violent resistance in pursuit of his vision of India’s freedom, as well as Mandela’s acceptance and appreciation for people of different races and cultures. Musk sees these people as inspirations for his entrepreneurial and leadership pursuits.
Conclusion
Elon Musk has been influenced and inspired by some of the great business, technology, and political minds of our time. His admiration for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Gwynne Shotwell, and Warren Buffet have been widely documented, but what is not so well known is how he also looks up to historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. His admiration for a wide variety of individuals has shaped his vision and mission to create a better world.
