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When it comes to selecting his team, Elon Musk relies on something many might find surprising: gut feel. Yes, the genius behind Tesla and SpaceX trusts his instincts more than anything else when it comes to hiring. But there's a method to this madness, and it's rooted in understanding a candidate's journey and problem-solving abilities.
Photo: World Governments Summit
The Power of Storytelling
Musk's interview process is quite unique. He doesn't just skim through resumes or ask standard questions. Instead, he dives deep into the story of a candidate's life.
"Tell me the story of your life and the decisions that you made along the way and why you made them"
This approach helps him understand the person's motivations, their thought processes, and their values.
The Importance of Problem-Solving
One crucial question Musk asks is about the most difficult problems a candidate has worked on and how they solved them. This is where the real magic happens.
"The people that really solved the problem, they know exactly how they solved it. They know the little details"
It's in these details that the true problem-solvers shine. They can recount every step, every hurdle, and every breakthrough. On the other hand, those who only pretended to solve problems tend to get stuck after the first level of questioning.
Trusting the Gut
While data and metrics are valuable, Musk believes in the power of intuition. His gut feel is honed by years of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to build successful companies. By listening to a candidate's life story and probing their problem-solving skills, he taps into his intuition to make the final call.
Conclusion
Elon Musk's hiring process is a blend of intuition and deep inquiry. By focusing on a candidate's life story and their approach to solving difficult problems, he identifies those who have the potential to thrive in his high-stakes, innovative environment. It's a reminder that sometimes, trusting your gut and asking the right questions can lead to building an extraordinary team.
Listen to Elon Musk:
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