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Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX, Tesla, and numerous other groundbreaking ventures, has a simple yet powerful piece of advice for aspiring innovators: seek criticism relentlessly. In Musk's view, a well-thought-out critique is as valuable as gold, offering invaluable insights that can lead to improvement and innovation.
Photo: Trevor Cokley—U.S. Air Force/U.S. Department of Defense
According to Musk, it's crucial to actively seek feedback from everyone, particularly from friends who may be hesitant to provide criticism for fear of hurting feelings. While friends may not always be right, their perspectives can often reveal blind spots or weaknesses that need to be addressed.
"A well-thought-out critique of whatever you're doing is as valuable as gold, and you should seek that from everyone you can, but particularly your friends. Usually your friends know what's wrong, but they don't want to tell you because they don't want to hurt you. "
The key, Musk emphasizes, is to approach criticism with humility and openness, assuming that you, the entrepreneur, are wrong. By adopting this mindset, entrepreneurs can create an environment conducive to growth and continuous improvement.
Musk's philosophy underscores the importance of embracing feedback as a catalyst for innovation. Instead of viewing criticism as a threat, entrepreneurs should welcome it as an opportunity to refine their ideas and strategies.
"You should take the approach that you're wrong, that you, the entrepreneur, are wrong. Your goal is to be less wrong."
In conclusion, Musk's advice serves as a reminder that true progress often comes from being open to critique and willing to challenge one's own assumptions. By seeking out diverse perspectives and actively listening to feedback, entrepreneurs can position themselves for success in an ever-evolving business landscape. As Musk aptly puts it, the goal is not to be right, but to be less wrong—a mindset that can pave the way for transformative breakthroughs and lasting impact.
Listen to his words: