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WhatisitliketoworkwithElonMusk?Quora

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DollySingh,FormerHeadofTalentAcquisitonatSpaceX

RelatedQuestions

849.8kViewsFeaturedinSlateand5moreUpvotedbyJimCantrell,OnSpaceXfounding
teamwithElonMusk

WhatisElonMusk'sworkethic?

Dollyhas25endorsementsinElonMusk

WhatisthemotivationofElonMusktoworksohard?

AfterworkingforElonforover5yearsatSpaceXastheHeadofTalentAcquisition,there
aremanypotentialanswerstothisquestion.AnyanswerImightgivewillbecompletely
coloredbymyownexperiences,sofulldisclaimerthisisnotanunbiasedpiecefreeof
personalnarrative.

HowmanyhoursadaydoesElonMuskworkinthe
office?
HowdoIsetmyselfuptoworkforElonMusk?

Itissaidthatyoucannotdreamyourselfacharacteryoumusthammerandforgeone
yourself.Ifanyleaderandanycompanyhasdonethat,andcontinuestodothatitis
SpaceX.TotryandcaptureinwordswhatworkingwithElonislike,Idliketoshare
somespecificmemories,particularlyofonereallyroughdayanditsepicaftermath.

WouldElonMusk'sHyperloopconceptworkinouter
space?

OnAug22008,8monthsafterIjoinedthecompany,SpaceXlauncheditsthirdflightof
theFalcon1launchvehicle.Falcon1wasthepredecessortotheFalcon9launchvehicles
thatthecompanyfliestoday.

WhatisElonMusklikeinperson?

Hasanyoneworkedonorpublishedareal
(auto)biographyofElonMusk?

WhoistheharderworkingCEO,CarlosGhosnorElon
Musk?
WhatexactlyisthehyperloopthatElonMuskis
workingon?
WhyisElonMusksodetermined?
MoreRelatedQuestions

QuestionStats
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Itwasadefiningmomentforthecompany.Elonhadacoupleyearspriorstatedinthe
pressthathis$100Mpersonalinvestmentinthecompanywouldgetusupto3triesandif
wecouldntbesuccessfulbythethirdflightwemayhavetoadmitdefeat.Inadditionto
thepressurecreatedbythisnarrativeinthepress,thelobbyistarmiesofourcompetitors
(largest,mostpowerfuldefensecontractorsintheworld)hadbeeninoverdriveinDC
tryingtoundermineSpaceXanddamageourcredibilitybypaintingusastooriskyand
inexperiencedinordertoprotecttheirmultibilliondollarinterestsinthespacelaunch
business.
SpaceXexecutedapictureperfectflightofthefirststage(portionoftheflightthatgetsthe
vehicleawayfromEarthsgravityandwherethevehicleexperiencesmaxQ/maximum
dynamicpressure,orbasicallywheretheconditionsonthevehiclearephysicallythe
harshest)clearingsomeofthehighestriskpointsofmission.

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However,shortlyafterthefirststageflight,immediatelyfollowingstageseparation(when
thefirststageofthevehicledetachesandfallsawayfromthe2ndstageofthevehicle
whichcontinuesitsjourneytospace)welostthevehicleandmission.
SpaceX,VPofPropulsionTomMueller,themoderndaygodfatherofrocketscienceand
oneofthemostbrilliantscientificmindsontheplanet,andhisteamhaddonesucha
greatjobredesigningthevehiclesenginessystemsthattheywereevenmoreefficientand
powerfulthaninsomewaysprojected.
Weturnedoffthefirststageengine,andthenproceededtoseparatethevehiclestages
howeverwhenthestagesuncoupledtherewasstillalittleleftoverkickorthrustinthefirst
stageenginesoourfirststageliterallyrearendedoursecondstageimmediatelyafterwe
hadtriedtoseparatethetwosectionsofthevehicle.Itwasadevastatingemotional
experience.
Istoodaroundwiththethen350orsoemployees,andwecheeredthevehicleonasittook
off,andaswewerewatchingthemissionclockandknewthatthestageswereaboutto
separatethevideofeedwascut.Thecompanyisona20secondviewingdelayfromthe
missioncontrolteamaswearebeingprojectedtheexternalpressfeedwhichisdelayedin
caseofmajormissionanomalies.Sowhenwelostvideo,weknewsomethinghadgone
wronginabigway.
Elonandabout78ofthemostseniortechnicalpeopleatSpaceXwerecommandingthe
missionfromatrailerinthebackoftheHawthornefactoryandweallwaitedanxiously
forthetrailerdoortoopenandforsomeonetotellussomething.Themoodinthe
buildinghungthickwithdespairyouhavetokeepinmindthatbythispointSpaceXwas
6yearsold,andmanypeoplehavebeenworking7080+hoursaweek,swimmingagainst
extremelypowerfulcurrents,likedifficultbarriersintechnology,institution,politics,and
financebysheerforceoftheirbloodandsweat.
Theyhadallgivensomuch,werementallyandphysicallyexhausted,andreallyneededa
wininordertoreplenishtheirspiritualwellsandgivethemthefaithtokeepfollowingthis
manupatreacherousmountainthathaddepletedthehopesandresourcesofthemany
otherswhohadcometoconquerit.
Thisnightwouldforeverimpactthefutureofthecompany,ithadthepotentialtosendthe
companyintoadownwardspiral,fromwhichwemaynothaveeverrecovered.Afailurein
leadershipwouldhavedestroyedusnotonlyfromtheeyesofthepressorpotential
consumersbutitwouldhavedestroyedusinternally.
WhenEloncameouthewalkedpastthepressandfirstaddressedthecompany.Although
hisexactwordsescapemeinhowhestartedoff,theessenceofhiscommentswerethat:
Weknewthiswasgoingtobehard,itisafterallrocketsciencethenlistedthehalf
dozenorsocountrieswhohadfailedtoevensuccessfullyexecuteafirststageflight
andgettoouterspace,afeatwehadaccomplishedsuccessfullythatday.
Elonhas(inhisinfinitewisdom)preparedforthepossibilityofanissuewiththeflight
bytakingonasignificantinvestment(fromDraperFisherJurvetsonifIrecall
correctly)providingSpaceXwithamplefinancialresourcestoattempt2more
launchesgivingussecurityuntilatleastflight5ifneeded.
Andthatweneedtopickourselvesup,anddustourselvesoff,becausewehavealotof
worktodo.Thenhesaid,withasmuchfortitudeandferocityashecouldmuster
afterhavingbeenawakeforlike20+hoursbythispointthat,"Formypart,Iwill
nevergiveupandImeannever ,andthatifwestickwithhim,wewillwin.

Ithinkmostofuswouldhavefollowedhimintothegatesofhellcarryingsuntanoilafter
that.ItwasthemostimpressivedisplayofleadershipthatIhaveeverwitnessed.Within
momentstheenergyofthebuildingwentfromdespairanddefeattoamassivebuzzof
determinationaspeoplebegantofocusonmovingforwardinsteadoflookingback.This
shifthappenedcollectively,acrossall300+peopleinamatterofnotmorethan5seconds.
IwishIhadvideofootageasIwouldlovetoanalyzetheshiftsinbodylanguagethat
occurredoverthose5seconds.Itwasanunbelievablypowerfulexperience.

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Whathappenedinthedaysandweeksfollowingthatnightisnothingshortofaseriesof
miracles:
WithinamatterofhourstheSpaceXteamidentifiedthelikelycauseofthelaunch
failure.Typicallyturnaroundtimefromothersinthelaunchbusinesscanrangefrom
weekstomonthsforfailureinvestigations.Ourteamcombedthrougheveryounceof
datatomakesureweunderstoodexactlywhatwentwrongasquicklyaspossible.
ByAug6thweannouncedtheresultsofourinvestigationandcame100%cleanwith
oursupportersandcustomercommunityinordertomakesurewecouldretaintheir
trustinthisdifficulttime.(SpaceExplorationTechnologiesCorporation )
In7weeks,wehadanotherrocketfullymanufactured,integratedandonlocation
readytoflyagain.Nooneelsecouldhavedonethisinlessthan6monthswith
unlimitedhumanandfinancialresourcesSpaceXdiditin6weeks,withlessthan
400peopleandonarestrictedfinancialdiet.
OnSept282008,SpaceXflewitsFalcon1launchvehiclefromKwajaleinAtollinthe
southpacificandexecuteditsfirst100%successfullaunchbecomingtheworldsfirst
privatelybuiltrockettoachieveearthorbit.Anaccomplishmentoftrulyepicportions
andataskpreviouslycompletedbyonly6mightiestnationsinthehistoryofthe
world.AmuchneededandmuchdeservedvictoryfortheentireSpaceXteamandas
ithopefullywillturnoutthefutureofhumanityoverall.

Soforthosewhoaskthequestion,thisisinmyopinionthetruecharacterofElonMusk.
Undeterredinthefaceofallodds,undauntedbythefearoffailure,andforgedinthe
battlefieldsofsomeofthemostterrifyinglytechnical,andcapitalintensivechallengesthat
anyhumanbeingcouldchoosetotakeon.Somehowhecomesoutalive,everytimewith
theotherguy'sheadonaplatter.
Workingwithhimisntacomfortableexperience,heisneversatisfiedwithhimselfsoheis
neverreallysatisfiedwithanyonearoundhim.Hepusheshimselfharderandharderand
hepushesothersaroundhimtheexactsameway.Thechallengeisthatheisamachine
andtherestofusarent.SoifyouworkforElonyouhavetoacceptthediscomfort.Butin
thatdiscomfortisthekindofgrowthyoucantgetanywhereelse,andwortheveryounce
ofbloodandsweat.
UpdatedNov2,2013ViewUpvotesAnswerrequestedbyMatthewCarroll
Upvote 9.7k

Downvote Comments 80+

NevaehArmstrong,NotSecretlyElonhttp://i.imgur.com/8dzZiBJ.png
88.5kViewsMostViewedWriterinElonMuskwith60+answers

Inordertoreallygetasenseofwhatit'sliketoworkforElonMusk,you'dprobablyneedto
seeitforyourself.Here'satourofSpaceXbyElonMuskhimself.Youdon'thavetowatch
everything,justthefirstpartifyou'remerelyinterestedinhisofficeenvironment.

KeyOfficeFeatures:

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Firstflooristheengineeringofficewitharound300people,veryopendesign,anyone
canseewhatyou'redoingonthecomputers.(Makesitdifficulttoslackoff?)Inthis
video,ElonMuskcasuallywalksintoaworker'scubeandaskswhathe'sdoing.

TherearelimitedofficesmostlyforHRandfinancepeople,asdoorslimit
communication.Themajorityworkincubes,includingElonMuskhimselfandthe
vicepresidentGwynneShotwell.

Meetingroomswithcustomershasmotionsensors,ifyouwalkin,thenormally
transparentglassgoesopaque.Prettycool,andElonsaidthattherearecoolerstuff
cominginthefuture.

Conferenceroomsarenamedafterthegreatrocketengineersandscientistsrelatedto
space.TheyhaveavonBraunroomaswell."Spendanhourortwoatthecompany
andyou'llrealizethatvonBraunreferslesstoaroomthanastateofmind."We'll
takeittothevonBraun"that'stheargot,theinvocation,inthefaceofany
conflictthatrequiresimmediateresolution.EngineersatSpaceXtalkabouttakin'it
tothevonBraunthewaytoughsindivebarstalkabouttakin'itoutside."Source:
http://www.gq.com/newspolitics/...

Therestofthetourdoesn'tincludetheconventionalofficespaces,moretowards
rocketmanufacturingequipment.

Officeenvironmentaside,whatisitreallyliketoworkforElonMusk?Ithinkit'sbotha
mixtureofexcitementandenduringhardwork,alongwithasensethat
you'retrulymakingapositiveimpacttotheworld.Allowmetoclarify,withsome
ofthevideosandarticlesI'vefoundwithpersonaltestimonialsfromtheworkers
themselves.

FormerNASAastronautGarrettReismanhasflownontheSpaceShuttleandSpace
StationforNASA.NowheworksforSpaceX.Hesaid:"Ifyouhadachancetogo
backintimeandworkwithHowardHugheswhenhewascreatingTWA,if
youhadachancetobethereatthatmoment,whenitwasthedawnofa
brandnewera,wouldn'tyouwanttodothat?Imean,that'swhyI'mhere."
Thefirst3launchesdidnotreachorbit.Ithinkittakesalotofpersistencetocontinue
afterthatpoint.8weekslater,the4thlaunchactuallyworked,andyoucanhearthe
cheersoftheemployeesatthe8:54markofthevideoabove.

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Here'ssomevideosofSpaceXworkerswatchingthelaunchandthemissioncontrolcenter
duringtherecentmissiontodockwiththeISSS.

Thetearwipeatthe38:25markofthisvideobelowsayseverythingabout
whatit'sliketoworkforSpaceX.Youcantrulyseethegenuineexcitement,andhow
theyfeltastheirhardworkpaidoff.

BelowisthepostinterviewofthesuccessfuldockingmissionwiththeISSS.SpaceX
employeesareconstantlycheeringexcitedlyatthe9minutemark.:)

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Also,here'sElonhavingalittlefuninhiscube.

HewaswavingaroundhisLadyVivamusswordthatwasawardedalongwiththeHeinlein
Prizeforpracticalaccomplishmentsinthefieldofcommercialspaceactivities.Aladyata
nearbycubesaid,"Ihavewitnessedmanyamishaps"soI'dimaginethatworkersat
SpaceXdohavetheirshareoffunifthebosshimselfismessingaroundoccasionally.

It'sadreamcometrueformanyeventhoughit'sreallyhardwork.Imean,wow,they're
frickinbuildingrocketstospace.CheckouttheMerlin1Denginefiringtestbelow.

Thiselementofexcitementandhardworkinvolvedincreatingdisruptingnew
technologiesisnotlimitedtoSpaceX.ThesamethingappliestoTesla.Here'stheModelS
firstcustomerdeliveryvideo.

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Soyeah,Ihopeyouhaveabettersenseofwhatit'sliketoworkforElonMusk.Impossible
questiontoansweraccuratelyunlessarealemployeeactuallyanswers.
UpdatedAug27,2015ViewUpvotes
Upvote 383

Downvote Comments 2

CardenBagwell,SeniorofComputerEngineeringatGeorgiaTech,Firmware
EngineeringInterna...
37.9kViews

Ididn'tworkwithelondirectlymuchwhenIwasatTesla,butmyteamandImetwith
himtodiscussobstaclesonacoupleoccasions.
Thethingthatstuckouttomemostwashowquicklyhecaughtontowhatheweretrying
toaccomplishandwhatchallengeswefaced.Healsowasneverintimidatedbyour
challenges.Hedidn'treallyseemworriedabouttechnicaldetails.Healwayshadawayof
takingacomplicatedproblemandmakingitverysimple.
Hewasn'teverrudeorunprofessional,buthewasneverafraidtointerruptorchallengean
assertion.
WrittenJun22,2014ViewUpvotes
Upvote 79

Downvote Comments 1+

MikeTownsend,FounderZingCheckout/FlowtabINTJ
80.9kViews

ElonneverputsupwithanytechnicalBS.Hefocusesextremelyhighlyontheintegrityof
workandhasaveryprofessionalbutlowtoleranceforunderperformers.
Iamtoldthathedoesn'tcaremuchaboutpersonalityflaws,aslongasyoutakethe
initiative,getshitdone,andfast.
AtSpaceXthereisanexpression:"Nomatterhowhardyouwork,someoneelseisworking
harder"...Youcanguesswhothatis.
Quotingmyfriend:"Elonisaseriouspowerhouseinthebuildingandsetstheculturefor
everyone,whichmakesitexcitingtoworkthere."
Allinall,itsoundslikeanincrediblyintense,inspiring,andfocusedoperationatSpaceX
withsomeoftheworld'smostintelligentpeople,alarge%intheirmid20s/early30s'.
UpdatedSep21,2012ViewUpvotes
Upvote 510

Downvote Comments 2+

Anonymous
182kViewsFeaturedinBusinessInsider

I'vebeenanengineerwithSpaceXforoverfiveyearsnow.I'veseenandhelpedthe
companygrowfromlessthan500peopleintothepowerhouseitisnow.Ihighlydoubt
thatthereisacoolercompanyintheworldthanSpaceX.Everythingthat'sbeensaidis
certainlytrue.SpaceXreallyisawesome.What'sbeensaidisjustonepartofwhatit'slike
toworkwithElonMusksoI'lldiscussthesidethatyouwon'toftenhear.
Ifyouwantafamilyorhobbiesortoseeanyotheraspectoflifeotherthantheboundaries
ofyourcubicle,SpaceXisnotforyouandElondoesn'tseemtogiveadamn.
Thissideofwhatit'sliketoworkwithElonshowsthatnoonelikesworkingwithElon.You

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canalwaystellwhensomeone'sleftanElonmeeting:they'redefeated.Thesearesomeof
thehardestworkingandbrightestpeopleintheworld,mindyou.Andtheyareuniversally
defeated.Atleastinengineering,whoknowswhatHRandfinancedoes.
ThereasonforthisisthatElon'sversionofrealityishighlyskewed.It'smuchlikeSteve
Jobs's"realitydistortionfield"exceptElonisn'tgreatatpublicspeaking.Ifyoubelievethat
ataskshouldtakeayearthenElonwantsitdoneinaweek.Hewon'thesitatetothrowout
sixmonthsofworkbecauseit'snotprettyenoughorit'snot"badass"enough.Butinso
doinghedoesn'tchangetheschedule.
Oneofthemostfamousquotesthatrunsaroundtheofficeisonefromacompanywide
talkElongaveacoupleofyearsagowherehesaid"Notenoughofyouareworkingon
Saturdays."Ofcourserealitykicksinandeitherjunkproductgetsflownorsomething
terriblehappens.Ultimatelythescheduleslipssurprisesurprise,fatigueisreal.
It'sunderstandable.PuttingpeopleonMarsisnotasmalltaskespeciallygiventhe
overwhelmingpoliticalobstaclesthatfaceSpaceX'smission.Continuouslybeingthe
underdog,fightingtheULAbehemothandtheentrenchedpoliticiansthatstrangelywant
SpaceXtofailisonlyasmallpartofit.SpaceXcertainlyrequiresahardmentality.Butso
oftenElon'sleadershipisbestcomparedtoamasterwhoberatesandsmackshisdogfor
notbeingabletoreadhismind.
Nothingyoueverdowillbegoodenoughsoyouhavetofindyourownvalue,not
dependingonpraisetogetyouthroughyourobviouslyinsufficient80hourworkweeks.
InordertocontinueworkingwithElon,youhavetolearntoignorealmosteverythinghe
saysandyouhavetobepreparedtobejabbedoverandover."Justsixmoremonthsand
we'llgoIPO!"isamonghismostrepeatedlinesthoughhestoppedtryingtosellthata
coupleyearsagoaspeoplestoppedbelievingitlongago.
ItisagreatcompanyandIdoloveit.Butisisn'tthepieinthesky,everything'sgreatidea
thatsomanyseemtothink.
UpdatedJun22,2014ViewUpvotesNotforReproduction
Upvote 2.3k

Downvote Comments 31+

JayAcunzo,VPatNextViewVentures
13kViews

FYI,there'sageneraloverviewofwhatit'slikefromLeeHowerintheepisoe#2ofthis
podcast>Traction|NextViewVC
Forcontext,LeewashiredbyElonMusktohiscompanyXdotcombeforeitmergedwith
PeterThielandMaxLevchin'sConfinitytobecomePayPal.(Fulldisclosure,Iproduced
thatpodcast,butIstillthinkthequicktakebyLeeisinterestingbecause,well,ElonMusk
isinsanelyinteresting.)
WrittenMay29,2015ViewUpvotes
Upvote

Downvote Comment

CharlieGarcia,MIT,Classof2019
41.6kViews
OriginallyAnswered:HowdoesitfeeltoworkwithElonMusk?

Anewbiographyofhimwasreleasedrecently.Tobehonest,andtocontradictthehero
worshipthatQuora(andtobehonestmyself)throwsonElonMusk,youmaynotlikethe
answerinthisbook,andinanecdotalevidence.TostartIwouldliketocaveatthisanswer
bysayingthatIwouldlovetoworkatSpaceX,andthatIwouldwillinglyputupwith
everythingIamabouttodescribetoworkthere.Idon'tworkforanyofElon'scompanies
(yet,fingerscrossed)butIknowpeoplewhohave,anddo.Iamarocketmanatheart,so
myanswerswillbebiasedtowardsSpaceX,althoughIsupposetheycouldextrapolateto
Teslaaswell.
Elonhasbeendescribedbymanyasadrivingtaskmasterwhosetsshortdeadlineswith
tightbudgetsanddoesn'tacceptfailure.Hedemandsthebestfromeverymemberofhis
teamsandhimself.AnacquaintancewhoworkedforSpaceXinMcGregor,Texas
describedhoweverydayofherinternshipfoodwascateredinbecausetherewasn't

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enoughtimeforthemtogoandgetfoodandkeeptheschedule.Therewasacontroversial
statementmadebyananonymousemployeewhosaidthatElonpenalizedhimformissing
acompanyeventtowatchthebirthofachild.Mr.Muskdisputesthiseventoccurringat
all,butitwasincludedinthebook.Elondoesn'thavetimetoputupwithanyonewhoisn't
100%onboardwithhisvision.Iheardhimdescribedashavinga"uniquesenseof
empathy."Thisisbecauseheisacutelyempatheticwithhumanityasaspecies,butseems
toregardindividualsastools.Hedoesn'tseemtobeabadman,justadrivenone.
SohowwoulditfeeltoworkforElonMusk?Thatdepends.Ifyoudon'tenjoypressure,
don'thaveselfconfidence,orcan'tpushthelimitsofhumanenduranceandcreativity,
workingforElonMuskwouldnotbeanenjoyableexperience.Appreciatetheworkofhis
companies,wearthemerchandise,beaninvestor,butdonotworkthere.Ifyouthrive
underpressure,arestruttingaroundwithiceinyourveins,andwillingtotake10yearsoff
yourlifespanduetobloodpressureandsleepproblems,stepup,gethired,andgochange
theworld.Youstillmightnotenjoytheyearsinasenseofgettingpleasurefromthem,but
Iimaginethereisasenseofsatisfactionandpurposethatcanhardlybematchedbyany
otherformofemployment.
PS:Pleasecritiquethis,especiallyifyouhaveexperienceatoneofMr.Musk'scompanies.
Someofthisisprettylooselyextrapolated.
WrittenMay25,2015ViewUpvotes
Upvote 150

Downvote Comments 7+

LeighChristie,ManagerIsobarNowLabAmericas,founder:MistyWest,eatART,
MondoSpider,Ori
29.2kViews

AtTesla
Ihaveseveralfriendswhoeitherworkfor,orhaveworkedforTesla.Thetruthisplainand
simple:whenyouworkforaworldchangingcompanyasambitiousasTesla,withaneven
moreambitiousCEO/founderit'sgoingtobeatoughgrind.Ifyouwantacushy40hra
weekjobwithadecentsalarygoworkforamaturecashcowbluechipcompany...

AtSpaceX
UpuntilrecentlyIdidn'tknowanyonewhoworksforSpaceX,butIimaginetheemphasis
isonreliabilityasopposedtomeetingdeliverydates.IsuspectthecultureatSpaceXis
dramaticallydifferentthanTesla.

Elon'sothercompanies
AsforPayPalandZip2,Ihavenoidea.
UpdatedMay25,2015ViewUpvotes
Upvote 25

Downvote Comments 1+

AllenVance,Informationsecurer
33.4kViews

IaskedaTeslaemployeethatImetthatquestion(I'lljustsayitwassomeoneina
"customerfacingrole")whosaiditwasgreatbuthemadesuretoalwaysbebusy,
becauseElonexpectstotalfocusand110%workeffort.
WrittenAug10,2011ViewUpvotes
Upvote 52

Downvote Comment 1

ScottRankine
22.8kViews

Asatechentrepreneurwho'sseenhisfairshareofupsanddownsoverthelastthree
decadesIcanhonestlysaytheElonhastherightstuff.Startupsarebloodyhardandthe
realityisthat99%ofthemgonowhere,notreally.Everynowandthenonewinsthelottery
andsucceedsbrilliantly.Butitsnotbyaccident.Youhavetoworktwiceashardandsmart
aseveryoneelse,nottomentionbeverylucky.There'snomarginforerror.Itsafull

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throttleracetosucceedandstayahead.Intel'sAndyGrovesaiditbest'onlytheparanoid
survive'.WhileIdon'tdoubtthatElonisanincrediblydemandingandintenseboss,it's
clearthewriterhasneverwalkedthewalkandneverwill.Elon'squesttocreateaself
sustaininghumanpresenceonMarsrequireszealandauniquemindset.Anditsdefinitely
notaboutthemoneyorgoingpublic.Futurehistoriansmaywellcredithimwithhaving
savedthehumanracegivenourinnatecapacityforselfdestruction.
WrittenJan2,2015ViewUpvotes
Upvote 31

Downvote Comment

Anonymous
24.4kViews

IcantellyoufromexperiencethatworkingatSpaceXisanamazingthing.Iworkedatthe
CapeCanaveralLaunchsite.IworkedwithsomeofthebrightestpeopleIhaveevermet.
Howeverwiththatbeingsaid,someofthedeptleaders/directorsarenomorethanback
stabbing,manipulators,andlieabouteverything.TheheadofI.T.launchwhomIhadthe
displeasureofworkingfor,isanextremecontrolfreak,whohastrieddesperatelyto
consolidatecontroloverallofI.T.fromKenVenner.RobSullivanhasdrivenoutanyonein
theLaunchI.T.groupwhodoesn'tswearallegiancetohim.Ihaveseenhimconspireto
firepeoplewhohadbeenthereforacoupleofyears,sothathecouldputoneofhis
brainwashedinternsintothenewlyvacantposition.Ihaveseenfirsthand.himchange
peoplesperformancereviewsaftertheyhadbeenhandedinfromanothersupervisor.If
youcallhimoutonthis,hewillmakesureyoudonotworkthereanylonger.Carriefrom
HR,willbackhimonanyplay,it'salmostlikesheisafraidofthisguy.Shewillgothrough
HRconfidentialrecordstohelpgivehimammunitiontofirepeople.Itisdisgustingthat
thisguyisstillincharge,Ithinktheonlyreasonheisstillinhispositionisbecausehe
eliminatesanyonewhowouldpotentiallybeathreat.BesidethisoneManager,andhisHR
henchman,SpaceXisanamazingplacetowork,butyouhadbettergetusedtolong
hours,andstressfuldeadlines.
WrittenJun26,2014ViewUpvotes

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RobinChenowethMcShaffry,explorer
27.7kViews

IhaveacousinwhoworksinmissioncontrolsoftwareforSpaceX,andwhenaskedwhatit
wasliketoworkforElonMusk,sheanswered,simply,"It'sexciting."Shelovesherjob.I
envyhercompletely.
WrittenOct30,2012ViewUpvotes
Upvote 36

Downvote Comment

MozammilAslam,geniusfuturisticmusk
210Views
OriginallyAnswered:HowisittoworkwithElonMusk?Whatdoesittaketoworkwithhim?

ICOMEQUOTINGTHISFROMONEOFQUORAANSWER
ElonneverputsupwithanytechnicalBS.Hefocusesextremelyhighlyontheintegrity
ofworkandhasaveryprofessionalbutlowtoleranceforunderperformers.
Iamtoldthathedoesn'tcaremuchaboutpersonalityflaws,aslongasyoutakethe
initiative,getshitdone,andfast.
AtSpaceXthereisanexpression:"Nomatterhowhardyouwork,someoneelseis
workingharder"...Youcanguesswhothatis.
Quotingmyfriend:"Elonisaseriouspowerhouseinthebuildingandsetstheculture
foreveryone,whichmakesitexcitingtoworkthere."
Allinall,itsoundslikeanincrediblyintense,inspiring,andfocusedoperationat
SpaceXwithsomeoftheworld'smostintelligentpeople,alarge%intheirmid20s/
early30s'.
WrittenMay31
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https://www.quora.com/WhatisitliketoworkwithElonMusk

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6/30/2016

WhatisitliketoworkwithElonMusk?Quora
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https://www.quora.com/WhatisitliketoworkwithElonMusk

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