Three actions allowed when Musk sends explicit directions

From:: Elon Musk
Date:: October 4, 2021 (Date from the email header)
To:: Everybody (all Tesla employees)
Subject:: Please Note

If an email is sent from me with explicit directions, there are only three actions allowed by managers. 1. Email me back to explain why what I said was incorrect. Sometimes, I'm just plain wrong! 2. Request further clarification if what I said was ambiguous. 3. Execute the directions. If none of the above are done, that manager will be asked to resign immediately. Thank you, Elon

About this email

Musk tells Tesla managers that an email from him with explicit directions leaves three options: explain why he is wrong, ask for clarification, or execute. Managers who do none of these will be asked to resign.

Notes

Text transcribed from the image of the email in the X post that prompted this archive. The email was first reported by CNBC in November 2021; that article could not be retrieved for this archive, so the wording rests on the posted image.

Where it came from

Leaked to press; attribution widely reported.

Image of the email posted on X by @StephNass

Tesla, company-wide memo. Tags: managers, directions, ultimatum, management

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