Twitter's New Makeover: A Tragedy For Women

Elon Musk is a controversial leader. His Ayn Rand-y attitude is on the one hand realistic and practical, and on the other, cold and heartless.

In case you are living under a rock, Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla recently purchased Twitter, and then promptly fired half its staff, including the majority of those in leadership positions. He then issued an ultimatum to the remaining employees, stating that they had one to decide to either resign and receive 3 months’ severance, or stay and be “extremely hardcore. . . This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing grade.”

Musk has reportedly been sleeping at the Twitter office in San Francisco, keeping in line with the tradition he started at Tesla of sleeping at the office while working 120-hour weeks.

Sleep should happen in your bedroom, not at the office

When I first heard about what Musk was doing, I felt enraged. Is this the kind of workplace culture that we want to promote? Should people have to choose between their health, family and having a successful career? 

According to Musk… yes. And here’s the thing. His tactics might work. They certainly did at Tesla. The unfortunate engineers that remain at Twitter will work their asses off and will likely be rewarded for it. Not on the level that Musk will, but I am certain the golden handcuffs will be shiny enough to keep some on board.

Is a 120-workweek sustainable?

For Musk, and perhaps for some who will remain at Twitter, their passion for ensuring the profitability of the company, or perhaps for the company’s impact on the world might be enough of a reward. 

But for the majority of humans, a 120-workweek is not sustainable. Human beings have needs, the most basic of which are eating, sleeping, health, and interaction with other humans. Without time and energy for those things, Twitter employees will be facing burnout and depression at best, and serious illness or even death at worst. 

I feel for those who think that this is a temporary, necessary sacrifice in their career, only to discover later on that they are empty inside, sick, and lonely.  What will they do with that money by themselves? On their deathbed? When they are too ill to be able to enjoy it?

Breast Cancer Taught Me That I Work To Live

Elon Musk’s philosophy is literally the antithesis of what I practice and preach in my life and coaching business.

At 28 years old, I was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer while working my butt off at a big law firm. I was wearing those golden handcuffs, working the 120-hour weeks, shoving my personal life and health to the side so that I could fit into a male-dominated corporate world.

Getting diagnosed with cancer forced me to come face-to-face with the possibility that I might not live to see my 30th birthday. That really put things into perspective for me.

I was able to truly get in touch with my values and authentic purpose, which I can tell you has nothing to do with working myself to the bone for a BMW and decent 401K.

I value my health, my family, my friendships and community, meaningful work, making an impact on the world, and security. I do not crave money for the sake of status or prestige. Wealth is what brings me security and the ability to live my life on my own terms. My self-worth comes from who I am on the inside, not what I appear to be on the outside.

I do not live to work. I work to live.

If someone values hard work, money, prestige and impact above all else, then by all means go work at a place like Twitter. But I wonder how many moms are left there now? Or women who wish to have children at some point and want to prioritize dating. I wonder how many people will be able to keep up the pace without collapsing or becoming clinically depressed?

Success is not about the number of hours you work

I am not saying that we should not be successful or strive for impact. But Elon Musk’s way is not the only way to do that. In fact, I teach my clients that oftentimes, less is more. 

Companies don’t promote the workhorse. They promote the rainmaker. You don’t have to do everything for everyone all of the time to be loved and respected. Perfectionism is poisonous to progress. There is a reason that you are supposed to put your own oxygen mask on first - if you don’t take care of yourself, how are you supposed to care for others?

I teach women that self-care makes them more impactful. That spending time on the other parts of their life that they value is what gives them the energy to reach their highest potential. That focus and flow are more important than time when it comes to productivity.

I am not downplaying the value of legacy, but even Elon Musk won’t be able to take his fortune and fame with him beyond the grave. All we have is this. Right now. And it’s shorter than you think. Tweet that Musk.