Elon Musk sends email to Tesla in October 2021: Music, direct orders
SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk watches as he visits the construction site of Tesla’s gig factory in Gruenheide, near Berlin, Germany, May 17, 2021.
Michele Tantussi | Reuters
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk is known for his spontaneous mass communication, from ranting on Twitter to “all”[ads1]; emails he sends to all employees at his electric car company.
CNBC has received a couple of emails Musk sent to Tesla employees in the first week of October. The first said it was OK to listen to music at work with one earplug out to listen for safety-related issues. The second, tougher email reminded employees that there are only three options when Musk sends directions: explain why he’s wrong, ask for further clarification, or perform.
At the time, Tesla had just announced record deliveries in the third quarter despite pressure in the supply chain, particularly a chip shortage. It had finally released the long-awaited “Full Self-Driving Beta” button, allowing Tesla car owners to sign up for pre-release driver assistance software to test it on public roads.
And on October 4, the company lost a major case in a federal court in San Francisco when a jury ruled that Tesla had to pay a former worker, Owen Diaz, around $ 137 million after he went through an anti-racial working environment during his time at Tesla’s car factory. in Fremont, California.
CNBC has also reviewed other emails Musk has sent in recent months, including words of encouragement for employees working at the company’s new factory near Berlin, and agrees with a bullish analyst call in September suggesting Tesla shares could go up to $ 3,000 per share – if the company performs well.
Here’s what Musk told employees on October 3rd and 4th.
The first was about music at work.
To all
From: Elon Musk
Date: Sunday, October 3rd [time redacted]
Subj. Music in the factory
Just wanted to say that I support a lot of music in the factory, as well as small touches that make the job more fun.
A colleague just sent me a note asking if we could have an earplug for music so that the other ear could listen for safety-related issues. That sounds good to me.
In addition, ambient music from speakers is also absolutely cool as long as there is reasonable agreement among your colleagues about the music choices.
If there are other things you think will improve your day, please let me know. I really care that you look forward to coming to work every day!
The other reminded everyone who the boss is.
To all
From: Elon Musk
Date: Monday, October 4th [time redacted]
Subj. please note
If an email is sent from me with explicit directions, only three actions are allowed by managers.
Send me an email to explain why what I said was wrong. Sometimes I’m just wrong!
2. Ask for further clarification if what I said was ambiguous.
Follow the instructions.
If none of the above is done, the manager will be asked to resign immediately.
Thank you,
Elon
