WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

I spent two years at Steve Jobs' side doing a biography, and then I followed Elon Musk for years to understand his journey and share that information.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

I believe that sustainable energy is crucial for the planet, which includes not just electric vehicles but also solar roofs and power walls.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's childhood was particularly brutal; he grew up in South Africa as a scrawny kid on the autism spectrum, often beaten up and psychologically abused by his father.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, is a complex figure; he was a brilliant engineer but also had a dark side that affected Elon deeply.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk associates pain with love, and he believes that adversity shaped him and made him who he is today.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's ability to focus intensely on engineering problems is evident from his childhood, where he taught himself coding and created his own video game at a young age.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's mother recognized his genius from a young age and fought against the schools that didn't challenge him enough.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's intense focus and maniacal intensity of focus stem from his childhood experiences and his hardwiring, which also contribute to his mood swings.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

First principle thinking is essential; it involves breaking down problems to their fundamental truths and building solutions from there, rather than relying on assumptions.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's approach to risk is rooted in first principles; he believes that the U.S. was founded by risk-takers, but now there are more regulators than risk-takers.

WI

Walter Isaacson

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Steve Jobs had a famous phrase, 'Think Different,' which encapsulated his approach to innovation and aligns with Elon Musk's mindset as well.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk believes that taking risks is essential for success; if you're not causing 20% of the problems from the risks you take, you're not taking enough risks.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

When Elon Musk presented that a project could be completed in six weeks and it was done in six days, it galvanized about 20-30% of his team, showing them what he is capable of.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk demands high intensity and urgency in his work environment, rejecting the idea of psychological safety as an enemy to productivity.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Both Elon Musk and Steve Jobs believe that trying too hard to be liked can hinder disruptive innovation; empathy can sometimes be a weakness in leadership.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk's mental health is described as incredibly mercurial, with mood swings that can be manic or depressive, and he has mentioned he might be bipolar without a formal diagnosis. I observed him going into a total meltdown, lying catatonic on the factory floor in Fremont, Texas, unable to be roused by his team.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk expressed regret about sometimes sabotaging his own success, saying he occasionally shoots himself in the foot or stabs himself in the thigh.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

When hiring, Elon Musk prioritizes attitude over skills and knowledge, believing that skills can be acquired but a change in attitude requires a brain transplant.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Musk's intense focus on details means he knows how to get rockets into orbit, unlike leaders at companies like Boeing who may not have that level of expertise.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Both Steve Jobs and Elon Musk shared a passion for beauty, caring deeply about the details of their products, even those that would never be seen by customers.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Musk believes that if you're not failing 20% of the time, you're not taking enough risks, which is essential for innovation and experimentation.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Musk's approach to deadlines is to speed up the team’s intensity, often pushing them to achieve what seems impossible, even if it means missing some deadlines.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Elon Musk does not value happiness highly; he sees himself as a video game addict, always focused on reaching the next level rather than savoring achievements.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Musk's relationships often reflect his love for drama and intensity, with many of his partners sharing this fiery nature, though he also longs for companionship.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Musk's biggest fear is being alone, stemming from a lonely childhood, which drives him to keep his children close during significant moments.

TD

The Diary Of A CEO Cast

11/30/23

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The most important characteristic for happiness and success is knowing your mission and understanding yourself, which helps in making meaningful connections.

The Man Who Followed Elon Musk Everywhere: 7 Elon Secrets! Walter Isaacson

Takeaways