Elon Musk is an example of how hard work, ambition and dedication truly pays off. With a net worth of $36 billion as of 2020, he is the wealthiest entrepreneur and a symbol of innovative thinking. Recent news of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO SpaceX sending humans to space in his very own spacecraft only furthers his appeal. How is Musk able to stay at the top, and what attributes help him become one of the most famous and successful entrepreneurs of all time?
Some sources say that Elon’s early life was filled with hard work and diligence, as he was determined to learn. At the age of 10, Elon taught himself to program after reading a book called “Q-Basic”. Additionally, Elon Musk also tried to work as a child labor, taking on small tasks delivering newspapers, fixing bicycles, or cutting grass. This isn’t to mention that Musk excelled in school, graduating from high school near the top of his class even at a very early age.
Musk’s mother mentioned that he was always very interested in technology and space exploration, hence his keen interest in the sector. Therefore it is only natural that he also brought this interest over to his professional life. Elon took chances to break traditional boundaries and explore new and often unorthodox solutions. Musk realized that the technology sector could be shaped with innovation, something he learned during his time in college starting businesses such as Zip2, X.com, and PayPal. It was his success in these started businesses that earned him the money to start Tesla, SpaceX, and the other ventures.
The fundamental cornerstones of Elon Musk’s success are his commitment and dedication to his purpose. He works hard and routinely puts in tens of hours per day, while also staying abreast of the latest research and developments to come out of the technology sector.
Musk’s ambition to find solutions to the biggest technological problems humanity faces was successful in inspiring and mobilizing the world. His philanthropic and pragmatic approach to addressing the long-term issues of environmental conservation, clean energy and space travel have distinguished him in comparison to other business leaders.
The way Musk goes about making decisions is something that most people should strive to emulate. Musk operates on a grand scale and strategically plans his decisions in order to maximize the benefit for himself and his companies. He does not simply short his risks but instead carefully assesses all the different options, eventually executing the wisest plan.
Furthermore, Elon Musk’s success is also attributed to his ability to think big, use his network of investors, and launch multiple large-scale initiatives at once. He is able to bring things from dream to reality, and he proves that it’s possible to do anything when you put in the labor and effort. Musk does not shy away from hard tasks and welcomes challenges, which has enabled him to develop a track record of inspiring accomplishments.
Aim High
Not only does Elon Musk oversee and fund some of the most advanced projects in the world, but he also strives to think beyond and strive to shoot for the stars. On a few occasions he has re-defined the boundaries of innovation, achieving accomplishments that no one thought were possible at the time. Like SpaceX’s mission to send astronauts to orbit the earth and Tesla’s AutoPilot mode for cars.
Additionally, Musk has been at the forefront of the movement for a green, sustainable, and carbon-free future. His commitment to clean and renewable energy sources is evident in Tesla, the company’s aim to bring electric vehicles and stationary storage batteries to the mainstream. By taking a disruptive approach to the auto industry and the energy sector, Musk has managed to lead a revolution.
One way Musk has been able to achieve his targets is by setting ambitious goals, aiming to tackle the biggest challenges in tech. He makes sure to keep it simple and maintain a goal-driven attitude, focusing all his resources and knowledge on the highest impact projects.
Elon is also willing to take risks and face the consequences, no matter how immense the task may seem. Most recently, his mission to send humans to space demonstrates his daring attitude, tackling a challenge that seemed impossible at first.
Stamina and Tenacity
Having stamina and tenacity is another key pillar of Elon’s success. Building something from scratch is often a long, tedious task, and it takes dedication and passion to keep going when things become tough. Musk is no stranger to roadblocks, but not once his passion and commitment wavered.
Elon Musk remains dedicated to his work no matter the difficulties, showing the world that it pays off to be resilient. If he experiences an unexpected delay or setback, he immediately finds a way to counter it and keep the team motivated.
Musk works very long hours and constantly communicates with his teams and staff to ensure every single project is on track. He has put in the necessary time and energy to make sure every single project is successful, no matter the risk.
In order to maximize his productivity, Musk is extremely organized and diligent when it comes to setting goals. This strategy is something we can all learn from. As with any project, it helps to plan the work and work the plan, remembering that some failures are unavoidable and should be taken as part of the learning process.
Leadership Quotient
Leadership is an exceptionally valuable asset for any leader, and it is one of the key reasons for Musk’s vast success. Having a vision and passion for the project he is undertaking gives his team the inspiration to strive for greater heights.
Musk is known to consistently walk his talk, a trait that earns the respect of his team while also inspiring innovation and ambition. Elon Musk’s leadership is often viewed as uncharacteristic of a CEO, as he consistently finds innovative solutions to difficult problems such as reducing vehicle costs or designing storage batteries.
To Musk, leadership isn’t about being a figurehead or merely using resources and delegating tasks – it’s about leading by example and showing that he’s willing to work as hard as his team. Not only does this show his commitment to the cause, but it also quickly builds trust and respect. This helps his teams to stay motivated and puts loyalty at the forefront.
Elon Musk’s success is a direct result of his focus on taking risks, working hard, and above all else staying true to himself. He knows his objectives and strives to stay ahead of the competition by accepting and overcoming difficulties.
Teamwork and Delegation
Having a great team around you is also essential for success and Elon Musk knows this. Since he is not a professional engineer and designer, he relies on others to create and develop new products that fit his larger vision.
It is important to note that Musk is not afraid to talk to people to get their help and expertise. His network includes some of the most renowned scientists and engineers in the world.
Musk is also great at delegation; assigning tasks to the relevant team members while also keeping an eagle eye on the project development. By doing this he is able to spread out his workload differently, making sure that no one area is affected as much as another.
Musk is also an excellent communicator, regularly keeping in touch with his teams and taking on any relevant feedback that could be useful for the development of the project. He knows how to inspire and motivate his teams and delve into their expertise.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Musk is known to be incredibly informed, reading up to five books a week while also knowing the latest tech trends and breakthroughs. He is an avid learner, which helps him to stay ahead of the competition and make sure that his ideas have never been seen before.
Musk also makes sure to act quickly on new trends, making informed, bold decisions that often help him stay ahead of the game. He often partners up with tech companies, inviting them to collaborate on projects and stay one step ahead of the competition.
Additionally, Musk is always opportunistic, actively searching for gaps in the current technology market and striving to fill them with cutting edge solutions that he and his team develop. From energy storage to space travel, Musk has managed to insert Tesla and SpaceX into some of the most competitive markets.
Musk’s constant searching for market gaps and innovative solutions have enabled him to stay ahead of the game. Not only have his companies become some of the leading entities in their respective fields, but they have also set precedents that other companies have followed.
