Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX, recently shared insights into his work ethic and management strategies in a conversation with Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank, the world’s largest wealth fund.
During an episode of Tangen’s podcast, Musk revealed that he has put in many stretches of 100-hour work weeks, with only six hours of sleep per day. He emphasized that this extreme level of work is not sustainable and should only be reserved for emergencies.
Musk also discussed his approach to managing employees, stating that smart people tend to manage themselves and can work from anywhere. He outlined a common goal and asked his team if they agreed with it, allowing them the autonomy to get the job done.
When asked about balancing micromanagement with delegation, Musk explained that he focuses on attention to detail rather than micromanaging. He believes that attention to detail is essential for creating a perfect product.
In terms of his legacy, Musk expressed that he doesn’t mind if it is inaccurate as long as he feels like he has done the right thing for the future of consciousness. Despite facing challenges at Tesla and in the early days of his startups, Musk remains focused on building successful companies.
As the CEO of Tesla, Musk announced that the company is on track to produce new, more affordable electric cars, even as revenue dipped year over year. His dedication to innovation and his unique management style continue to shape the success of his ventures.