According to biographer Walter Isaacson, some of the CEO and entrepreneur Elon Musk’s most divisive qualities might have played a crucial role in his success thus far. Musk has gained fame for his seemingly spontaneous choices and contentious remarks made on his social media platform, previously known as Twitter and now called X. Isaacson argues that this streak of impulsiveness cannot be disentangled from Musk’s history of groundbreaking innovation at companies like Tesla and SpaceX.
Isaacson, who spent two years shadowing Musk while researching his book, remarked, “He possesses these infuriating traits, these relentless ambitions, and inner struggles, but if you were to remove those elements, you’d be left without the impulsive personality that ignites significant breakthroughs.” His book was published on Tuesday.
Isaacson highlighted that Elon Musk’s willingness to take risks and speak his mind has been instrumental in making him the world’s wealthiest individual and one of the most influential entrepreneurs. He emphasized, “If you strip away any part of Elon Musk’s character, you’ll miss out on the innovation.”
However, Isaacson also pointed out that this doesn’t excuse Musk’s “problematic behavior,” such as directing his “negative emotions” towards his employees or issuing physical challenges, like the one he made to Mark Zuckerberg. Isaacson noted that several other successful but intense figures in the tech industry have recently expressed regrets about their treatment of employees.
Mark Cuban, for instance, has voiced remorse for pushing his team relentlessly in pursuit of results and productivity during the early stages of his career. In June, he shared on the “Bio Eats World” podcast that he wished someone had advised him to be kinder, as he had always been driven by a “go, go, go” mentality, focusing on speed rather than precision.
Bill Gates openly acknowledged his demanding management style due to his unwavering focus on achieving results during a commencement speech at Northern Arizona University in May. He admitted, “I didn’t endorse vacations, weekends, or the idea that my colleagues should either,” and it wasn’t until he became a father that he realized the need for change.
In contrast, Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella, adopts a significantly different approach. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the company’s employees. In a 2021 interview with Harvard Business Review, Nadella stated that empathy lies “at the core of design thinking” and serves as the driving force behind all innovation. He assumed the role of CEO in 2014.
Nadella’s effectiveness is undeniable. Under his leadership during the initial four and a half years, Microsoft witnessed a remarkable tripling of its stock price. As of Wednesday afternoon, the company boasts a market capitalization of $2.5 trillion.
In contrast, Musk’s disposition lacks what could be termed “the empathy gene,” as noted by Isaacson, a sentiment echoed by Musk’s own brother, Kimbal, in 2021. Isaacson also believes that Musk is unlikely to undergo a transformation toward a more empathetic or opinion-sensitive persona anytime soon, as Musk fails to see any advantage in doing so.
Isaacson explained Musk’s perspective, stating, “Musk would argue that it’s actually self-centered to seek approval from those around you, rather than disconnecting from emotional attachments and asking, ‘What serves the greater mission?'”
Source: cnbc.com