Few Minutes with Elon Musk

In life, one of the most powerful truths to remember is this: never show fear when you are among people. Fear makes others see you as smaller than you are. Courage, even if quiet and calm, commands respect. When you hold yourself with confidence, people are more likely to treat you as an equal, no matter their status.

Listen to Elon Musk about it👇

When you find yourself in the company of the rich, the powerful, or those who hold influence, speak with respect, but never bow too deeply. Do not become overly polite, for excessive politeness often signals weakness. As much as you respect them, remember that they are human too. If you place yourself too far beneath them, they may begin to look down on you, not because they are cruel, but because you taught them to. Respect yourself first, and others will follow.

On the other hand, when you speak with those who are considered lower in life’s hierarchy, take a different approach. Here, your goal should not be to showcase your intelligence, talents, or skills. Instead, offer them the gift of kindness and a warm attitude. If you listen carefully to their words and show pride in their stories, they will feel honored, and they will know that you truly value them. People remember less of what you say and more of how you made them feel.

Human curiosity often hides behind simple questions. When someone asks, “Where do you live?” what they often want to know is not your address, but your family’s financial situation. When someone asks about the jobs of your family members, what they are truly seeking is to measure your family’s influence and connections. And when someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” they are not simply curious about your occupation; they are weighing how much respect to show you and whether maintaining a relationship with you could be of benefit.

Understand this dynamic, but never let it make you bitter. It is simply the way people judge and sort one another in society. Learn to read between the lines, and you will always understand people’s true intentions.

There are also things to keep private. For example, if your coworkers come to visit your home, resist the temptation to display it on social media. Not every moment is meant for public consumption, and not every visitor should become part of your public story. Protect the sanctity of your personal life.

Be cautious with money. People often warn against lending large sums, but sometimes, those who ask for very small loans reveal the most hidden intentions. They may be testing your trust or exploiting small cracks in your generosity.

And never forget: your secrets are your power. Do not share them, not even with your closest friends. Every person, no matter how trustworthy, has other friends they trust as deeply as you trust them. What you whisper today may become someone else’s casual conversation tomorrow.

Above all, if you do not understand something, do not lie or pretend to know. Pretending brings only temporary safety but eventual shame. Instead, dedicate yourself to truly learning, to making the unknown familiar. Honesty will carry you farther than false confidence ever could.

These lessons are not rules to trap you, but wisdom to guide you. If you practice them, you will walk through life with dignity. You will understand people more clearly, respect yourself more deeply, and move closer to the kind of life that is not just successful, but meaningful.

Elon musk about learning