Tesla, 2018
What did Elon Musk say about burnout in his 2018 interview?
The short answer
In a 2018 New York Times interview, Elon Musk described the most painful year of his career, working up to 120 hours a week and needing sleeping pills. He said anyone who could do the job better could have it. Tesla shares fell nearly 9% the next day, and he stayed on as CEO.
The situation
It's the hardest year of your career. Production is behind, you're working up to 120 hours a week, you spent your birthday in the factory and you need sleeping pills to sleep. A major newspaper asks for an interview.
The options on the table
- Decline and keep your head down
- Do it and project total confidence
- Do it and say how bad it really isWhat they did
- Announce you're taking medical leave
What happened
Elon Musk told the New York Times it had been the most painful year of his career and that anyone who could do the job better could have the reins. Tesla shares fell nearly 9% the next day. He didn't step back, and stayed on as CEO.
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