Part 8/13:
A critical element Carmarmac highlights is Elon’s systemic, first-principles approach. Instead of copying existing models, Elon breaks down problems to their basic constituents—materials, physics, system components—and rebuilds solutions from the ground up. This method fosters rapid iteration, learning from failures, and ultimately creating breakthroughs that defy the conventional wisdom.
Despite setbacks with Falcon rockets and Starship, Elon and his teams learn faster and improve continually. His deep involvement in systemic engineering challenges sets him apart from traditional CEOs, who often delegate without grasping the technical nuances.