Musk Reveals to Andrew Eborn Secrets at SpaceX 'Elon Fired Anyone Who Didn’t Love Their Job!

rrol Musk: On Tipping, Success, and America's Service Culture

Sitting down with Errol Musk on The Andrew Eborn Show, we delved into topics ranging from the peculiarities of America's tipping culture to the extraordinary dedication Americans display in their work.

Errol Musk, with his characteristic humor and honesty, began by recounting his experiences in U.S. restaurants. There, diners face a tipping culture that often feels like a necessity, with options starting at 17.5% and reaching upwards. For Musk, there’s an unspoken pressure to tip generously, and he finds himself opting for the higher percentages to avoid seeming miserly. “It’s embarrassing to go for the lowest one,” he quips, “so you pick the middle or high one.”

A memory of dining at one of his son Kimbal’s restaurants brought an interesting revelation. Musk found himself charmed by a waitress who, despite her position, held an MBA. She admitted that her earnings in hospitality exceeded what she could make in her field of study, allowing her to support her parents on lavish vacations. It’s a phenomenon Musk has observed frequently in America—service jobs, though humble in perception, offer impressive financial rewards. Kimbal even handed Musk a card with a generous $1,000 credit for meals—a stark reminder of the high costs in such establishments.

Beyond tipping, Musk highlighted a broader difference in work culture. In the U.S., service professionals take immense pride in their jobs. While it might be common in other countries to DIY small repairs, Americans seem willing to pay experts for tasks big and small, contributing to a robust, interconnected economy. Musk notes, “Everybody’s spending, and that keeps the wheel turning faster and faster.”

In an age where self-reliance is often lauded, Musk raises an important question: Are we losing something by outsourcing all minor tasks? Despite its practical benefits, there’s a lingering concern. Musk’s reflections remind us that while professionalism is valuable, the satisfaction of personal achievement is just as essential.

Errol " And there he was, working these intense hours, but not because he had to—it's just that he loved it. It became clear to me that this was the culture Elon was building at SpaceX, and it’s something that really resonated with all of them. They weren’t just there for a paycheck; they were building something that they believed in, that they loved, and that they felt would change the world."

At that point, I could see a real difference between the way they worked and how we worked back in the days when I was younger and doing projects in South Africa. Back then, we would put in long hours too, but it was often out of necessity. With SpaceX, it was out of passion. These guys had the best equipment, the resources, and the freedom to innovate. They were driven not just by Elon’s vision, but by the sense that they were pioneers—almost like explorers breaking into a new frontier.

The incredible thing was watching Elon cultivate this passion. He didn’t tolerate people who were simply going through the motions, just as he didn’t tolerate anything less than total commitment to his vision. And that energy trickled down to every person on that team. You couldn’t help but feel that you were part of something bigger than yourself.

I think that’s what sets Elon apart. He creates environments where passion isn’t just encouraged; it’s essential. You either get on board with that or you move on. And it’s a lesson for the future, especially as we face this issue of automation replacing jobs. In a world where many of the manual tasks will be automated, what’s left is work driven by passion and purpose. As he always says, people need to find work that they love. If they don’t, they won’t just be left behind by technology—they’ll be left behind by their own lack of drive.

What I saw in those early days at SpaceX was a glimpse into that future, where people are pushed to innovate and reach higher because they truly want to be there. And that’s the heart of what drives Elon and his companies. It’s not just about creating jobs or making money; it’s about giving people a purpose, something they can be passionate about. And in that sense, maybe automation doesn’t take away from us—it just forces us to seek out the things we’re really meant to do.

In the end, that’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned watching him work: If you find something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life because it’s not work—it’s a calling. And that’s what he’s done, not only for himself but for the thousands of people who have been part of this journey with him. And in doing so, he’s inspired so many others to look for that same purpose in their own lives.