Business
Elon Musk Hails ‘Honor’ Working With Talented Teams After Andreessen Likens Style to Steve Jobs
AUSTIN, Texas — Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, posted a rare note of gratitude on X late Sunday, calling it “such an honor to work with so many amazingly talented people.” The comment came in reply to a widely shared video clip of venture capitalist Marc Andreessen praising Musk’s intense, truth-seeking leadership style and comparing it to Steve Jobs’ approach at Apple.
The post, which quickly drew more than 3,700 likes and hundreds of replies within hours, highlights the high-stakes culture Musk has built across his companies as they pursue ambitious goals ranging from Mars colonization to orbital AI data centers. Posted April 12, 2026, it arrived amid fresh developments in Musk’s empire, including Intel’s recent decision to join the Terafab chip-manufacturing project with Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, and ongoing preparations for a potential SpaceX initial public offering valued at up to $1 trillion or more.
In the 96-second video clip that Musk quoted, Andreessen — co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a longtime tech investor — described Musk’s management philosophy during what appeared to be a casual pub conversation. “Truth-seeking at all costs,” Andreessen said, gesturing animatedly. He noted that Musk demands the “ground truth” with “zero tolerance for anything else,” confronting bad news “ruthlessly and relentlessly.” Unlike typical startup founders who project forced optimism to retain talent, Musk tells teams bluntly when failure could mean bankruptcy, Andreessen said. That radical transparency, he argued, pushes employees to perform at their absolute limits — much like engineers who worked under Jobs and later reflected that they had done the best work of their careers, even after difficult interactions or abrupt departures.
Musk’s understated reply stood in contrast to his usual rapid-fire, sometimes combative posting style. It resonated with supporters who see his companies as crucibles for world-changing innovation. “The best leaders make people do the best work of their lives. That’s the Elon effect,” one reply read, echoing Andreessen’s point. Others praised the “talent density” Musk attracts, noting that passionate teams outperform larger groups of clock-punchers.
The moment comes as Musk’s intertwined businesses face both soaring valuations and intense scrutiny. SpaceX officially acquired xAI in February 2026 in a deal that created the world’s most valuable private company, with an internal valuation exceeding $1.25 trillion. The merger aims to build data centers in space to power advanced AI, leveraging Starlink satellites for low-latency orbital computing. Tesla, meanwhile, converted a $2 billion investment in xAI into a small equity stake in SpaceX, further blurring lines between the companies. Regulatory filings cleared the move in March.
Just last week, Intel announced it would partner on Musk’s Terafab initiative — a massive chip-fabrication project in Austin, Texas, designed to produce custom silicon for robotics, AI and space applications. The collaboration, announced April 7, underscores Musk’s push for vertical integration in hardware as his ventures scale. Analysts say the project could accelerate Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, SpaceX’s satellite constellation and xAI’s Grok models.
Yet Musk’s leadership style has long drawn criticism as well as admiration. High turnover rates at Tesla and SpaceX have been well-documented, with some former employees describing marathon workweeks, sudden firings and a culture of “existential dread” when deadlines slip. Andreessen acknowledged as much in the clip, noting that the blunt honesty would cause talent to “bleed out” at most companies. Musk has defended the approach, arguing it is necessary for missions that literally involve sending humans to Mars or achieving full self-driving autonomy.
Public reaction to Musk’s Sunday post reflected that divide. Some users called it “humility from the guy who’s literally changing the world,” while others noted the timing, with one quipping it felt “like a leaving speech but he owns the place.” A handful of replies veered into unrelated political debates, consistent with Musk’s own recent activity on X, where he has weighed in on topics including anti-white racism and public shaming of certain behaviors.
The post also arrives as Musk navigates broader challenges. X, the social-media platform he acquired in 2022 and later merged with xAI, underwent restructuring in March, laying off its chief marketing officer and more than 20 nontechnical staffers to streamline operations ahead of the SpaceX IPO. Co-founders at xAI have exited in recent months, and teams have been reorganized, including the “vision” group focused on video generation for Grok.
Despite the pressures, Musk’s companies continue to deliver milestones. SpaceX achieved multiple successful Starship test flights in early 2026, advancing reusable rocket technology critical for lunar and Martian missions. Tesla reported progress on its Cybercab robotaxi, with production slated to begin slowly in April as new manufacturing lines ramp up. xAI, now under the SpaceX umbrella, has poured billions into compute infrastructure, including a reported $20 billion investment in Mississippi for new facilities.
Industry observers say the Andreessen comparison is apt. Jobs was known for his reality-distortion field and insistence on perfection, often driving teams to exhaustion but producing iconic products. Musk, at 54, has similarly bet on talent willing to embrace urgency. “Ten people who think they’re building something historic will outperform 200 who think they have a job,” one X user replied to Musk’s post, capturing the ethos.
Musk has spoken before about the privilege of working with exceptional engineers. In past interviews, he has credited SpaceX’s early survival to a small cadre of rocket scientists who worked around the clock after three failed Falcon 1 launches. Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving teams have similarly endured intense scrutiny and iterative redesigns. The pattern repeats at xAI, where Grok’s development has emphasized maximum truth-seeking over political correctness — a stance Musk has repeatedly highlighted.
As SpaceX eyes a public debut later this year or in 2027, with some analysts predicting a $1.75 trillion valuation, investors will scrutinize whether Musk’s culture can scale. Wall Street has historically rewarded the results: Tesla’s market value has fluctuated wildly but remains among the world’s largest automakers by capitalization. SpaceX’s Starlink now serves millions of customers globally, generating steady revenue that subsidizes deeper space exploration.
Musk himself has described his role as more coach than traditional CEO, diving into engineering details at each company weekly. Andreessen has called this “micro-managing at a macro scale,” a trait shared with Jobs. In one recounted story, Musk once ran an 18-hour meeting requiring every employee to present updates in five-minute slots, giving leadership a real-time view of the entire organization without bureaucratic filters.
Critics argue such intensity borders on unsustainable, pointing to burnout reports and occasional lawsuits over workplace conditions. Supporters counter that participants emerge transformed, often crediting Musk with unlocking their highest potential. The Sunday post appears to acknowledge that mutual dynamic: the talent makes the mission possible, and the mission elevates the talent.
Whatever the verdict on his methods, Musk’s latest comment underscores a simple truth in his worldview. In an era of corporate platitudes and performative optimism, unfiltered urgency can forge breakthroughs. As one reply to his post put it, “Generational run.”
With SpaceX preparing for its historic IPO, Tesla pushing autonomous driving frontiers and xAI racing in artificial intelligence, Musk’s empire shows no signs of slowing. His brief expression of gratitude may be modest, but it reflects the human element behind the rockets, robots and algorithms reshaping industries.
Geopolitical tensions driven by the Middle East crisis and high fuel prices have created a volatile macroeconomic environment, Australia’s biggest business bank says.
First Real Question Is on AI and Its Impact on the Insurance Business
One of Australia’s largest proposed battery storage projects has been earmarked by a team of former investment bankers for a site north of Perth.
Abel: Chunk of Equity Portfolio Doesn't Need Much Management
Dynex Capital May Continue To Disappoint
Brent crude futures fell 64 cents, or 0.59%, to $107.53 a barrel by 2308 GMT after settling down $2.23 on Friday.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $101.10 a barrel, down 84 cents, or 0.82%, following a $3.13 loss on Friday.
“For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site on Sunday.
Oil prices remained above $100 a barrel with no peace deal in sight and traffic in the Strait of Hormuz still limited. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran continued over the weekend with the countries assessing responses from each other.
“Peace talks have been stalled as both sides refuse to move on their respective red lines,” ANZ analysts said in a note.
Trump has made a nuclear deal with Tehran a priority, while Iran has proposed to set aside nuclear issues until after the war ends and the foes agree to lift opposing blockades on Gulf shipping. On Sunday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, or OPEC+, said they will raise oil output targets by 188,000 barrels per day in June for seven members, the third consecutive monthly rise.
The increase is the same as that agreed for May minus the share of the United Arab Emirates, which left OPEC on May 1. However, the higher volume will remain largely on paper as long as the Iran war continues to disrupt Gulf oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
United Airlines Flight 169 from Venice clipped a light pole on approach to Newark Liberty International Airport but landed safely. (Credit: Patrick Oyulu via Storyful)
A United Airlines international flight struck a light pole and tractor trailer while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday, injuring a truck driver on the ground, authorities said.
Flight 169, traveling from Venice, Italy to New Jersey, made contact with the pole during its descent at around 2 p.m., the airline and police told FOX Business. The plane landed safely and taxied to the gate. All 221 passengers and 10 crew members were unharmed.
“Upon its final approach into Newark International Airport, United flight 169 came into contact with a light pole,” United said in a statement to FOX Business. “The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured.”
UNITED PILOT REPORTS MIDAIR DRONE SCARE NEAR AIRPORT DURING LANDING APPROACH
United said its maintenance teams are inspecting the aircraft for possible damage and conducting a full safety review. (Patrick Oyulu via Storyful / Storyful)
United said its maintenance teams are inspecting the aircraft for possible damage and conducting a full safety review. The crew members on board have been temporarily removed from service.
New Jersey State Police said troopers responded at around 1:58 p.m. near the New Jersey Turnpike.
A preliminary investigation found the plane’s landing gear and underside struck a pole and a tractor-trailer, sending the pole into a Jeep traveling on the roadway.
The tractor-trailer driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to New Jersey State Police.
UNITED AIRLINES RAISING TICKET PRICES UP TO 20% AS FUEL COSTS SURGE AMID IRAN WAR
Federal authorities have also launched investigations into the incident. (Patrick Oyulu via Storyful / Storyful)
“The crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available,” New Jersey State Police told FOX Business.
Federal authorities have also launched investigations into the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft struck the pole at roughly 2 p.m. local time and said it is investigating.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also opened a probe and said an investigator is expected to arrive in Newark on Monday.
TRUMP TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY ANNOUNCES RELIEF FOR SPIRIT AIRLINES FLYERS, EMPLOYEES
United Airlines planes are seen at the gate at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on May 7, 2025. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The agency has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to support the investigation. A preliminary report outlining the facts and circumstances of the event is expected within 30 days,” NTSB told FOX Business in an email.
The incident comes just days after a United pilot reported a possible drone encounter while approaching San Diego International Airport, according to air traffic audio.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
The FAA did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FOX Business’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
Bank of Korea deputy chief says time to consider rate hikes
A Perth-founded diving company has reinvented itself and is now delivering world-leading resource-recovery results.
Kaynar Group founder Kyle Ringin has been named the First Amongst Equals at the 2026 40under40 business awards, taking out the top honour recognising Western Australia’s emerging business leaders.
More than 600 people took to Crown to celebrate the tradie-turned-entrepreneur and 39 others in the 25th year of the Business News awards gala on Friday evening.
Attendees were entertained with a night of performances by Williams Creative Co, Japanese Wadaiko ensemble Taiko On and DJ crossed with live music duo, The New Now.
Having judged most of the 40under40 awards since its inception in 2002, Business News senior journalist and chief judge Mark Pownall said WA has continued to offer up a diverse cohort of excellent candidates.
Choosing the winners, he said, remained a challenge from the beginning.
“In our first year of 40under40, the judging panel caused a bit of angst for the event organisers by deciding to name two winners, because we could not split the tied pair,” Mr Pownall said.
“One was from a family business, the other from corporate WA.
“I felt that start set the tone for 40under40.”
Now, a total of 1,000 of WA’s business leaders have been inducted as 40under40 winners.
“It is not about any one sector in this state – it isn’t just small business, or family business, or startup founder, or careerists who have made it on St Georges Terrace,” Mr Pownall said.
“All of those can have a crack, and they have.”
Having undertaken an extensive interview and application process, Mr Ringin was recognised as both First Amongst Equals and the winner of the Family Business category.
Working as an apprentice auto electrician and workshop foreman in Broome, he identified a gap in the Kimberley for a reliable, locally skilled trades provider.
That led him to establish maintenance, mining and civil solutions provider Kaynar Group with his wife and co-founder Shaylee Greechan in 2020.
Mr Ringin has turned operating in extreme remoteness into a competitive advantage, all while delivering real impact for WA’s north.
Kaynar Group has grown rapidly over the past five years in both revenue and staff, employing more than 130 people.
But Mr Ringin‘s secret to success is simple – to seize any opportunity when it comes.
“One of our clients had a need for a mining provider when their current mining provider left,” he said after receiving the top honour.
“We stepping in without any right to be doing that, and delivered a mining program for six months to an exceptional standard that taught us we can deliver other disciplines as well.”
Using a people-first approach, Mr Ringin continues to build his local workforce and create opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous remote youth through apprenticeships, TAFE and community partnerships.
“We are a people business and we trade in time but our product is trust, and this represents that,” Mr Ringin said.
First Amongst Equals finalists Jessica Wilson, Ben Smith and Kyle Hoath missed out on the top honour, but all won in other categories.
Ms Wilson, a Yindjibarndi and Njamal entrepreneur and artist, took home the Indigenous Business award.
As the founder of Seven Sisters Collective, she helps find opportunities for Indigenous artists on large projects and builds education among businesses.
After a career spanning hyper-growth consumer brands, Mr Smith’s leadership as chief executive of alcohol, drug and mental health support provider Holyoake earned him the Community, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit award.
And Dr Hoath, a defining voice in the state’s medical and civil leadership, won the Small or Start-Up Business award.
The consultant psychiatrist and newly elected President of the Australian Medical Association WA co-founded Oqea – a technology platform modernising mental health care.
The Pantry Group founder Sam Kaye was recognised with the People’s Choice award – recognising his journey which went from working at Daisies Cottesloe to owning the cafe alongside three other hospitality venues.
The other major category winners include:
You can read more about each of the winners in the May 18 edition of Business News’ print magazine, which will also be available online.
Congratulations to all of 2026’s 40under40 winners:
Jessica Wilson: Seven Sisters Collective
Sam Kaye: The Pantry Group
Zoran Aleksic: PCH Civil
Stephen Tormey: Bennco Engineering
David Gozzard: The University of Western Australia
Justin Barnes: Rocket Launcher
Tandin Dorji: Kingston International College
Joshua Wigley: Hyperion Systems
Mathew Wilson: Wilco Maintenance Solutions
Rowan Streater: Mayfair Building Co
Kane Smith: Smartfix
Alastair Mackenzie: Buddiup
Benn Ellard: White Spark Pictures / Surround Sync
Jo Gibb: Coliving Collective
Mark Bond: Consolidated Electrical Solutions
Luke Whelan: Perth is OK! / Social Meteor
Michael Agostino: Trendsetter Homes / Select Living
Damien Wragg: Trainwest
Ashley McGrath: CEOs for Gender Equity
Isabelle Charter: Betterlabs
Jeroen van Dalen: Integral Development Associates
Catherine Hyde: Amity Resources
Rachel Falzon: Women in Defence Association
Eli Barlow: Funday Entertainment Group / Lavender Estate
Jonathan Cover: JPS Management and Execution / Safe Isolation Australia
Mark D’Alessandro: Contec Australia / JCM Property Group
Samantha Johnson: Sexual Health Quarters
Yankees option Anthony Volpe to Triple-A instead of recalling him
The plants and animals David Attenborough has lent his name to
Aussies adjusting to volatility: business banking giant
Manchester United reach agreement with Casemiro over contract clause amid transfer speculation
US brings back mandatory military draft registration
Steven Gerrard disagrees with Gary Neville over ‘shock’ Chelsea and Arsenal claim | Football
YOU CAN’T PREDICT XRP PRICE IN 2026 YET! – HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU HOLD FOREVER? – BECOMING CRYPTO RICH!
Wife Demands Payment for Housework After Husband Refuses Money #emotionalstory #familydrama
XRP WILL DISSAPPEAR OVERNIGHT!?!? ERIC TRUMP CONFIRMS IT!!!
-
Tech6 days agoRegister Renaming | Hackaday
-
Politics6 days agoDrax board avoid their own AGM, accused of greenwashing & environmental racism
-
Fashion5 days agoKylie Jenner’s KHY Enters a New Era with ‘Born in LA’
-
Tech7 days agoWhy Blue Badges Disappeared From Toyota Hybrids
-
Tech6 days agoImages of Samsung’s rumored smart glasses have leaked
-
Tech2 days agoTrump’s 25% EU auto tariff breaches Turnberry Agreement that also covers semiconductors and digital trade
-
NewsBeat9 hours agoChannel 5 – All Creatures Great and Small series 7 new post
-
Business5 days agoMost Commercial Energy Audits Miss the Real Losses
-
Business7 days ago(VIDEO) Charlize Theron Climbs Times Square Billboard to Promote New Netflix Thriller ‘Apex’
-
Crypto World6 days agoCFTC’s AI will review U.S. crypto registration applications, chairman tells CoinDesk
-
Sports2 days agoPaul Scholes issues Marcus Rashford reality check as agreement emerges over Man United star
-
Business5 days agoBarclay Brothers Avoid Bankruptcy: HSBC Drops High Court Petitions After IVA Deal
-
Business4 days agoTesla Officially Registers Elon Musk’s Stock: What Investors Need to Know
-
Entertainment7 days agoAlicia Keys Calls Out Music Industry ‘Boys Club’
-
Tech6 days agoGet Ready for More Brain-Scanning Consumer Gadgets
-
Crypto World6 days agoRobinhood Phishing Scam Exploits Gmail Dot Feature to Bypass Security
-
Entertainment6 days agoSister Wives: Janelle Posts New Scary Warning
-
Crypto World6 days agoGmail Dot Trick Underpins Robinhood Phishing, Sending Real-Looking Emails
-
Business3 days agoTwo Powerball Tickets Split $143 Million Jackpot in Indiana and Kansas
-
Tech7 days agoThe next iPhone moment might come from an AI company, not Samsung or Apple
You must be logged in to post a comment Login