6 ms·
What criteria are we using to evaluate this? If the anecdotes are accurate, and based on your own description, it seems Elon Musk is a CEO who makes an effort
by BoxFour 3y ago
What criteria are we using to evaluate this?
If the anecdotes are accurate, and based on your own description, it seems Elon Musk is a CEO who makes an effort to thoroughly grasp the products his company develops. That's commendable. This doesn't necessarily make him even a small-e engineer, even in the context of the broader definitions used today. It certainly doesn't make him "someone of engineering lineage," as the original comment implied was essential for Boeing's success, or even "someone with an engineering background" like the comment I replied to.
It's also certainly not clear that Elon has an engineering-first mindset, nor that that would even be helpful for many of the businesses he runs. I can think of plenty of examples of Elon putting business above all else plenty of times, and I don't mean that as a dig: It's often the smart move for the monetary gain of all involved.
And just to be clear, this not a commentary at all on about whether Elon would be effective in running Boeing. To be blunt: I don't care about that conversation.
- rpmisms 3y ago> If the anecdotes are accurate > It's also certainly not clear that Elon has an engineering-first mindset If A, then B. Struggle with definitions all we want, Boeing needs a dose of Musk's attitude towards engineering and manufacturing. It is the most important thing they do, and I don't think the C-suite understands that. That's the most distilled version of what I'm saying. Musk is the best recent example of this attitude, but Henry Ford is an excellent older example.
- BoxFour 3y ago> If A, then B If Elon's thoroughly understands the products his companies develop, he has an engineering-first mindset? That logic would also apply to many CEOs we wouldn't consider "engineering-first" CEOs. > Struggle with definitions all we want, For me, this is the only discussion. My focus is not at all on whether Elon would be a good fit for Boeing. I don't give a shit about that conversation.
- rpmisms 3y agoI don't want Elon to run Boeing, that's never been part of my argument. I want leadership at Boeing that elevates engineers, understands that engineering is absolutely critical, and punishes bean-counters for pushing against a good engineering culture.
- KerrAvon 3y agoAlso important for leadership is being a thin-skinned an emerald mine scion who believes in astonishingly racist tropes.
- rpmisms 3y agoPersonal attacks generally aren't encouraged on HN, even if you don't like the person.
- Dylan16807 3y agoWe're evaluating a public figure's ability to lead. That's not a personal attack.
- rpmisms 3y ago> is being a thin-skinned an emerald mine scion who believes in astonishingly racist tropes. That's a personal attack. Talking about failures of planning in mass manufacturing, backlash due to public statements, and casual behavior about publicly traded companies and information related to them, those would be material criticisms that we can discuss civilly. The claims of racism and inheriting some amount of money from a debunked emerald mine conspiracy aren't helpful on their own.
- Dylan16807 3y agoRacism is relevant for a CEO. Thin-skinned is relevant for a CEO. Whether they inherited wealth is relevant for how you judge their wealth. > debunked Kind of? His dad was originally making the claim but is now saying something different. > conspiracy You have a weird definition of conspiracy.