Elon Musk Shared the Most Refreshing, No-BS Productivity Tips with Tesla Employees
Elon Musk is under a lot of stress, pulling overnighters at work and sleeping on the office couch.
Between dealing with a production crisis at Tesla and managing projects such as, you know, sending humans to space or eliminating illiteracy, the entrepreneur has to be ruthless about productivity.
And in the spirit of maximizing time and improving efficiencies -- a necessary step to get the severely delayed production of Tesla Model 3 cars back on track -- Musk sent all Tesla employees a memo. In the e-mail, the CEO outlined his own productivity hacks.
While some of them were predictable (we've heard the whole "avoid useless meetings" thing before), Musk also shared some unexpected and forward-thinking advice.
Take a cue from one of the busiest men in the world with these three no-BS productivity tips.
1. Leave meetings and hang up the phone when needed
Anyone who has ever sat through a painfully long meeting wondering why they were even asked to attend that meeting in the first place will love this refreshing piece of advice:
"Walk out of a meeting or drop off a call as soon as it is obvious you aren't adding value. It is not rude to leave, it is rude to make someone stay and waste their time," wrote Musk.
While Musk probably has more leeway than the average person when it comes to nixing courtesy in favor of efficiency, this tip is absolutely worth testing.
2. Communicate more, and communicate directly
Musk does not believe in the idea of messages traveling through the "chain of command."
"A major source of issues is poor communication between depts. The way to solve this is allow free flow of information between all levels. If, in order to get something done between depts, an individual contributor has to talk to their manager, who talks to a director, who talks to a VP, who talks to another VP, who talks to a director, who talks to a manager, who talks to someone doing the actual work, then super dumb things will happen. It must be ok for people to talk directly and just make the right thing happen."
Super dumb things do mostly happen because of miscommunications, so this seems sensible. Musk also shared that he doesn't believe in using jargon to describe products and processes. "In general, anything that requires an explanation inhibits communication."
3. Break stupid rules if necessary
As an innovator, Musk is not afraid to break the rules -- even his own.
"In general, always pick common sense as your guide. If following a 'company rule' is obviously ridiculous in a particular situation, such that it would make for a great Dilbert cartoon, then the rule should change," he wrote.
So the next time you come across a work situation that just doesn't make sense, don't be afraid to find a better solution.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.