5 Elon Musk Traits You Should Adopt

Elon Musk is the world’s richest man. So, you might be asking yourself, “What techniques did he use to get there?”

Today, I’m going to show you the leadership traits of one of the world’s most successful executives.

I’ll also share one Elon Musk trait you won’t want to copy.

Elon Musk had a difficult childhood in South Africa where he was bullied at school and, unfortunately, bullied by his father at home.

Eventually, he made way to the U.S. where he launched his first company, Zip2 Corporation, in 1995 with his brother, Kimbal Musk.

In 1999, a division of Compaq Computer bought Zip2 for $341 million.

Elon and his brother used that money to create what would eventually become PayPal which was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion.

$1.5 billion. It’s not enough to live on, but it’s a start.

Kidding!

Musk founded his third company, SpaceX, in 2002 with the intention of building spacecraft for commercial space travel.

In 2003, he founded Tesla.

In 2008, Tesla announced plans for its Model S, the company's first electric sedan that?was reportedly meant?to take on the BMW 5 series.

In 2017, Tesla announced that it surpassed General Motors to become the most valuable U.S. car maker.

That same year, Musk launched The Boring Company, a company that builds tunnels to reduce street traffic.

Over the years, Musk has become famous for some of his unfiltered Tweets.

Ranging from this one, about a love affair – of lack of one – with Bill Gates.

To this one, which made him the first CEO ever to attempt to reduce their stock price.

So, what are the Elon Musk traits you can use to improve your leadership skills?

Trait #1: Turn Negatives into Positives

Musk had a very, very difficult childhood. But he hasn’t let his past experiences inhibit his future success. In fact, he’s funneled the negative energy from his childhood into the positive outcomes he has today.?

Trait #2: Embrace Failure

Not long ago, Musk said, “There’s a silly notion that failure is not an option at NASA. Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

Musk understands that you learn more from your failures than you do from your successes.

Trait #3: Glass Half Full Mentality

Musk once said, “I’d rather be optimistic and wrong, than pessimistic and right.”

You have two choices in life – to see the world as a pessimist, or to see the world as an optimist. Musk has chosen optimism. You should, too.

Trait #4: Embrace Your Differences

If you take a deep dive into Musk and his mental framework, you eventually realize one thing … this guy is different.

But rather than be held back by his differences, Musk has embraced them. That option is available to you, too, if you choose.

Trait #5: He’s Paid for His Brain, not His Hands

In my Unspoken Rules of Leadership e-book, which is available by clicking the link, I say that some people get paid for their brains, and others get paid for their hands.

If you can get paid for what you know, the way Elon Musk does, you can scale your influence by hiring others to do the hard stuff.

And finally, the Elon Musk trait you want to avoid. Trait #6: Lack of Balance

Musk is a unique character who seems to be energized by work. But not all of us are that way. We need to re-charge our batteries. So, avoid being a work-a-holic. Instead, give yourself some balance and perspective.

The Bottom Line:

Elon Musk is a unique character. He sees the world in ways most of us don’t – or can’t. It would be difficult for any of us to even approach Musk’s level of genius, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adopt some of his techniques.?

Take the Elon Musk traits you see here and apply them to your life. You might not become the next Elon Musk, but it’ll be a start!

About Jamie Turner: Jamie Turner is an internationally recognized author, university professor, and speaker who has helped employees at The Coca-Cola Company, Holiday Inn, Microsoft, Verizon and others do a better job leading, managing, and mentoring others. You may have seen Jamie in Inc., Entrepreneur, Business Insider, or Forbes. He's also a regular guest on CNN and HLN, where he delivers segments on marketing, persuasion, and leadership. Jamie is the co-author of several essential business books and his YouTube channel was designated one of the "Top 10 Business YouTube Channels" in the nation by Wishpond.com.?