Inside the Rush to Respond to Musk’s ‘What Did You Do Last Week?’ Email
When Elon Musk sent out a seemingly simple yet alarming email to his team at Twitter asking, “What did you do last week?”, the reaction was swift and intense. Known for his direct and demanding style of leadership, Musk’s email became a pressure point for employees who were already navigating the intense and transformative changes he had implemented since taking over the company. But what did this cryptic query really mean, and how did it affect the Twitter workforce?
First, the timing of the email made it more impactful. By then, Musk had already shaken up Twitter’s operations, cutting jobs, reorganizing teams, and pushing for more efficiency and innovation at a rapid pace. This email, sent at the end of a week, seemed like a challenge—a subtle but stern inquiry into productivity and outcomes. For many employees, it wasn’t just a question; it was a test of their worth in an increasingly volatile work environment.
The responses to Musk’s email varied. Some team members immediately began compiling detailed reports to showcase their week’s achievements, highlighting product updates, bug fixes, or progress on strategic projects. Others, perhaps feeling the pressure, opted for more general answers, or struggled to justify their existence within the company’s new direction. The looming uncertainty about job security only heightened the stakes for many.
For Musk, this email was likely another tool to drive his desire for a high-performance culture, where only the most efficient and productive workers could thrive. Having previously criticized companies for their reliance on long meetings and inefficient workflows, Musk sought to refocus efforts on tangible outcomes. The email was a way of checking in on his team, ensuring that they were moving fast and producing results in line with his vision for the company’s future.
However, the email also revealed the culture shift Twitter was undergoing under Musk’s leadership. The tech industry has long been known for its collaborative, flexible, and sometimes leisurely work environments. Musk, on the other hand, was imposing a no-nonsense, results-driven atmosphere. For employees, this email was a reminder of the expectations and pressures that came with working for one of the most ambitious and demanding CEOs in the world.
In the end, Musk’s “What did you do last week?” email was not just an inquiry—it was a sharp reminder of the high stakes and the evolving expectations at Twitter. It also marked a pivotal moment in the company’s transformation, where employees were required to continuously prove their value in an ever-changing and uncertain corporate landscape.
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