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Why does it have to be the current version of Musk to be a better version of Musk? Why can't we consider that Musk or his type was instrumental to launch Tesla

Why does it have to be the current version of Musk to be a better version of Musk? Why can't we consider that Musk or his type was instrumental to launch Tesla but at this point a different person is better fit to grow it? Maybe skills needed to sustain a company might be different than the skills needed to launch it.

that_jojo 8y ago
Completely just to play devil's advocate, here: When has a major innovative company ever done better after ousting a visionary but perhaps somewhat toxic founder? Maybe we could look at Uber, but it's too soon to tell. And The new management there seems earnest, but I'm not sure they're looking so hot from an actual business perspective.
- billylindeman 8y ago
  General Motors. William durant vs Alfred Sloan. But better is relative.
  - that_jojo 8y ago
    Oh shit, I like this one. Nice work.
- maxerickson 8y ago
  I think if you want anyone to even try to answer your question you have to list all the companies that qualify as major and innovative. Otherwise someone responds with an example and you just say that it doesn't count.
- ABCLAW 8y ago
  How many major innovative companies haven't been headed by a visionary but toxic founder in the first place? If we're just looking into this question to understand how important neurosis is in creating greatness, I think we need the more obvious counterfactual first.
- mikestew 8y ago
  When has a major innovative company ever done better after ousting a visionary but perhaps somewhat toxic founder? I don't know, how visionary and/or toxic would you consider the founders of Tesla to be before they got the boot?
akmiller 8y ago
I've never bought into this, and without significant evidence proving it to be true, I never will. Removing the soul of the company is never good. I've followed leaders who were passionate about their business and I've worked for companies where there is no passion. Hard to commit to the latter!
- Fricken 8y ago
  Tim Cook is a pretty boring guy, but he's an adult and he's responsible, and Apple has grown 4 times since he took the reins. Cook has the temerity to consult the experts he's surrounded by before making a big decision. Musk ignores the experts he (used to be) surrounded by and fires them if they resist his efforts to decouple Tesla from reality. Musk has never been a good leader, he's a full-blown textbook narcissist, replete with the deception, cruelty, and delusions of grandeur that it comes with. It was fall 2016 that Musk made 3 unilateral, and delusional strategic decisions: the Alien Dreadnought, Solar City, and HW2. I call it the ASH doctrine: Musk's 3 point plan to reduce Tesla to ashes. Before that, I thought Tesla had a chance, but since late 2016 I've been on Tesla deathwatch. And now, here we are, no solar shingles, no $35k Model 3, no full self driving, no money, no profit, no credibility, and no surprises to anyone who has been watching this without Musk approved rose coloured glasses. The bonfire of his vanity is gloaming, and yet the fans are still fanning the flames.
  - kamaal 8y ago
    Something from Steve Jobs' life: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field

that_jojo 8y ago

Completely just to play devil's advocate, here: When has a major innovative company ever done better after ousting a visionary but perhaps somewhat toxic founder? Maybe we could look at Uber, but it's too soon to tell. And The new management there seems earnest, but I'm not sure they're looking so hot from an actual business perspective.

billylindeman 8y ago
General Motors. William durant vs Alfred Sloan. But better is relative.
- that_jojo 8y ago
  Oh shit, I like this one. Nice work.
maxerickson 8y ago
I think if you want anyone to even try to answer your question you have to list all the companies that qualify as major and innovative. Otherwise someone responds with an example and you just say that it doesn't count.
ABCLAW 8y ago
How many major innovative companies haven't been headed by a visionary but toxic founder in the first place? If we're just looking into this question to understand how important neurosis is in creating greatness, I think we need the more obvious counterfactual first.
mikestew 8y ago
When has a major innovative company ever done better after ousting a visionary but perhaps somewhat toxic founder? I don't know, how visionary and/or toxic would you consider the founders of Tesla to be before they got the boot?

akmiller 8y ago

I've never bought into this, and without significant evidence proving it to be true, I never will. Removing the soul of the company is never good. I've followed leaders who were passionate about their business and I've worked for companies where there is no passion. Hard to commit to the latter!

Fricken 8y ago
Tim Cook is a pretty boring guy, but he's an adult and he's responsible, and Apple has grown 4 times since he took the reins. Cook has the temerity to consult the experts he's surrounded by before making a big decision. Musk ignores the experts he (used to be) surrounded by and fires them if they resist his efforts to decouple Tesla from reality. Musk has never been a good leader, he's a full-blown textbook narcissist, replete with the deception, cruelty, and delusions of grandeur that it comes with. It was fall 2016 that Musk made 3 unilateral, and delusional strategic decisions: the Alien Dreadnought, Solar City, and HW2. I call it the ASH doctrine: Musk's 3 point plan to reduce Tesla to ashes. Before that, I thought Tesla had a chance, but since late 2016 I've been on Tesla deathwatch. And now, here we are, no solar shingles, no $35k Model 3, no full self driving, no money, no profit, no credibility, and no surprises to anyone who has been watching this without Musk approved rose coloured glasses. The bonfire of his vanity is gloaming, and yet the fans are still fanning the flames.
- kamaal 8y ago
  Something from Steve Jobs' life: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_distortion_field