Part 5/13:
This results in a management environment where only high-performing, highly motivated individuals thrive. For instance, Hans Cigman, a critical engineer in SpaceX's early days, was eventually shown the door when his productivity waned, reflecting Musk’s no-nonsense approach to maintaining peak performance at any cost.
The Hard Reality of Organizational Restructuring
Tesla’s organizational structure has undergone frequent restructuring, with Musk seeking to eliminate duplication and optimize efficiency. An internal email from Musk in 2018 revealed a plan to reduce staff by roughly 9%, emphasizing that only non-essential roles were cut, and critical production targets remained unaffected.