Elon Musk disclosed a missed opportunity, said he hates firing people and revealed a desire

Elon Musk disclosed a missed opportunity, said he hates firing people, and revealed a desire:- In a recently republished 2008 profile by the San Francisco Business Times, Elon Musk, the mastermind behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter, revealed some of his biggest missed opportunities and expressed his aspirations to meet two legendary investors.

Musk reflected on a potential investment he passed up on: SunPower. Back then, he had the chance to invest at a valuation of $15 million, a fraction of its current $1.9 billion market capitalization. However, the solar-energy company’s stock price has remained relatively stagnant over the years, softening the blow of Musk’s decision.

During the interview, Musk also disclosed his desire to meet Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, the renowned duo behind Berkshire Hathaway. Recently, Buffett and Munger praised Musk’s audacious goals and his determination to conquer seemingly impossible challenges, a sentiment Musk sincerely appreciated.

Interestingly, Musk admitted his aversion to firing people, which raises eyebrows considering his acquisition of Twitter last year, which led to significant job cuts. However, he learned the invaluable lesson of making swift personnel decisions, a principle he still upholds today.

In fact, he takes personal involvement in the hiring process at Tesla, insisting on approving all hires, including contractors.

The profile also delved into Musk’s business choices. He candidly shared that his relocation to Los Angeles was one of the most difficult decisions he had made at the time. This insight provides context for his subsequent move to Texas in 2020.

Amidst his serious remarks, Musk’s signature sense of humor shone through. When asked about mentors, he wittily responded, “Who are these mentors people talk about, and how do I get one?”

Lastly, Musk emphasized his unwavering passion for design and engineering, stating that he couldn’t envision a more fulfilling path than creating rockets and electric cars. This sentiment echoes his previous claim of being an engineer, manufacturer, and technologist at heart, distinct from the portfolio management role of investors like Buffett.

This retrospective glimpse into Elon Musk’s mindset showcases his willingness to acknowledge missed opportunities, his unyielding drive to pursue grand visions, and his ongoing commitment to shaping the future through groundbreaking technology.

Information Source: BI

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