I’m a big believer that a small number of exceptional people who are highly motivated can do better than a lar... — Elon Musk

I’m a big believer that a small number of exceptional people who are highly motivated can do better than a large number of people who are pretty good and moderately motivated.

Author: Elon Musk

Insight: We tend to think bigger is always better—more hands make lighter work, right? But anyone who's actually managed a project or watched teams in action knows the frustrating truth: sometimes adding people makes things slower, not faster. You spend more time coordinating, explaining, getting everyone on the same page. A handful of people who are genuinely obsessed with solving a problem often outpace a bloated team where everyone's just collecting a paycheck. The trickier part is recognizing this isn't about being elitist or dismissing average performers. It's about the multiplier effect of motivation. Someone who wakes up thinking about the work, who sees obstacles as puzzles rather than roadblocks, who stays up wondering if there's a better way—that person moves differently than someone who's competent but detached. Their energy becomes contagious. They pull others up. The real challenge most of us face isn't finding exceptional people—it's figuring out where to find or nurture that rare combination of talent and genuine drive. And honestly, the question worth asking isn't always "How do I hire more people?" but "How do I make the people I have feel exceptional about what they're building?"