Guam Day 124 - Power Play


 6/26/2022 - A little something that I have been reading on and off during our time on Guam. Its post worthy, as I am one that rarely finishes a book. I can't tell you how many I pick up, get about half way, and then something else comes along. My creative brain struggles to sit still long enough to absorb the ink on those white pages. Much more like my grandfather who enjoyed newspapers, magazines, and the evening news I have become. 

Power Play was a book I overheard being recommended during my last few weeks at work before I left for sabbatical. A quick amazon order and it was on its way without much more thought, at least a goal maybe for this trip. Its taken me the better part of 4 months, but I will say this one was an enjoyable read.

The story of Tesla starts with a small group of highly motivated and talented engineers and an investor that was willing to throw money their way. That's Elon Musk just btw. Through many trials, tribulations, and coming so close to failure time and time again, this company pulled through. With the likes of a sports car, the roadster, a luxury sedan, the model S, an SUV, the model X, and a car for daily drivers, the model 3, Tesla has done the impossible and competed for 10 years with the big automotive giants. Its really impressive, and if I was smarter I wish I would have bought stock 3 years ago.

What this book has reminded me, is so much of business and really everyday life is about thinking about what's happening in the moment and working to flex and overcome the conditions you are dealt. Its very easy to say, well that will never happen, but so much harder to drive something forward and overcome. This is the positive side of Elon Musk, and so many of the bright engineering minded that is evident through out this book. 

The second takeaway I had, and its a good one to file away, is that there is great value in being humble and keeping your own self in check. This is the negative side of the Musk style of leadership. While he has succeeded and out performed many peoples expectations, he and his ego have left a long line of chaos behind him. People were not valued as much as success, and in my mind that isn't the way to lead high performing teams. 

Lots to think about, but in concluding, one of the things that I can't shake as I have left the industry is an excitement to go back. Working on vehicles is where I have so much passion and this time away has helped bring back some of that fire. 

Comments

  1. Dave S.July 8, 2022 at 11:31 PM

    You beat me! Good observations. Now that I am not traveling, hoping to finish my read soon.

    ReplyDelete

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