Elon Musk’s 2016 Memo: 6 Rules to Slash Unproductive Meetings

In 2016 Elon Musk sent an internal email to Tesla employees urging them to eliminate wasteful meetings and adopt a more direct, value‑focused communication style.

1. Skip large meetings unless they add value

Large meetings waste precious time and energy; only hold them if every participant gains clear value.

2. Leave meetings you can’t contribute to

If a meeting does not require your input, decision, or value, your presence is unnecessary; exiting politely saves everyone time.

3. Forget the chain of command

Address problems directly with colleagues instead of routing everything through managers; rapid communication enables swift decisions and a competitive edge.

4. Keep language clear, not clever

Avoid meaningless jargon and “black‑talk”; choose concise, straightforward wording that is easy to understand and effective.

5. Don’t hold meetings too frequently

Frequent meetings waste time; meetings should be used for collaboration, direct problem‑solving, and urgent issues. Most problems can be resolved via messages or email without interrupting workflow.

6. Apply common sense over rigid rules

If company policies are unreasonable, hinder progress, or don’t apply to you, don’t follow them blindly; prioritize practical work principles over strict conformity.