In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#1

Post by christiansmith » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 1:38 PM UTC

In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk
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Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#2

Post by wazoox » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 2:49 PM UTC

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks.

And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#3

Post by christiansmith » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 3:10 PM UTC

wazoox wrote: post #2

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks. And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

Having been through several cycles of burnout over the years I tend to agree with you. These days I take nearly as much time to play as work, and my work is better for it.

That said, I wonder how much the type of work has an impact on diminishing productivity over a duration. Also wonder if EM takes this into account in other ways, like vacation time, etc.

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#4

Post by waterlesscloud » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 3:32 PM UTC

wazoox wrote: post #2

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks. And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

Statistics aren't people. In other words, Your Mileage May Vary.

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#5

Post by hastur » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 3:58 PM UTC

The "Occupy Mars" t-shirt is awesome! :D

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#6

Post by hinathan » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 4:23 PM UTC

  It was a difficult thing that was made more difficult
  by one of our investors who was just an absolute
  bastard, nobody should ever take money from them.

Anybody know whom he's referring to? Pretty harsh.

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#7

Post by BasDirks » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 4:26 PM UTC

wazoox wrote: post #2

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks. And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

Ironic?

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#8

Post by sixQuarks » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 4:29 PM UTC

I think Elon Musk has surpassed Steve Jobs as the best entrepreneur of the century (IMHO)

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#9

Post by nightski » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 4:32 PM UTC

wazoox wrote: post #2

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks. And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

That is looking at it from the perspective of the individual. But the company can choose to not care about its individuals and just try to get the most out of them until they burn out. While not optimal this is pretty common in some startups in my experience.

Re: In deep with Tesla CEO Elon Musk

#10

Post by acgourley » Sat, Sep 08, 2012, 4:36 PM UTC

wazoox wrote: post #2

> But if you work for Tesla, the minimum is really a 50-hour week and there are times when it'll be 60- to 80-hour weeks. And we recently saw statistics here on HN proving that working more than 40 hours/week for long durations is counter-productive. Alas, I'm sorry to see Elon Musk falling for this "tough men work hard" nonsense.

Well at least he's upfront about it. Better than an org that says you should work 40 hr weeks then presses deadlines so hard you have no choice than to go over.