Everyone knows that Musk, in his early 30s, took away $180 million from PayPal.
But very few people know that several of PayPal’s executives, while he was on his honeymoon, removed him from his CEO position.
Musk was furious—he had intended to get even badly with these people.
But when the employees who supported him suggested they all resign in protest, Musk hesitated and stopped them.
Because the company was like his child. He would rather let it go, leave on his own, and still keep it alive—and he also decided to repair his relationship with his colleagues.
Later, he arranged to meet with Max Levitzen, a former colleague involved in the coup. Levitzen was worried and asked him, “Are you meeting me because you want to beat me up?”
Musk was heartbroken and asked, “Why did you betray me?”
Levitzen replied that he truly believed the company was about to collapse, and that he felt there was no choice. After hearing that, Musk nodded.
A few months later, the two had dinner together again. Musk told him, “Life is too short. Let’s keep moving forward hand in hand.” They shook hands and made peace.
By 2008, SpaceX had failed three launches in a row, with finances tight. It was also the fund founded by those old colleagues that invested $20 million into SpaceX, allowing the fourth launch to go ahead.
If, back then, Musk had retaliated against them and become bitter enemies, that investment would never have happened—and SpaceX might not have survived.
Some injuries may not be fully forgiven, but the rest of your life is precious too. You can’t spend it all trying to demand justice from others.
Life is too short. We should keep moving forward together.$SPCXB
But very few people know that several of PayPal’s executives, while he was on his honeymoon, removed him from his CEO position.
Musk was furious—he had intended to get even badly with these people.
But when the employees who supported him suggested they all resign in protest, Musk hesitated and stopped them.
Because the company was like his child. He would rather let it go, leave on his own, and still keep it alive—and he also decided to repair his relationship with his colleagues.
Later, he arranged to meet with Max Levitzen, a former colleague involved in the coup. Levitzen was worried and asked him, “Are you meeting me because you want to beat me up?”
Musk was heartbroken and asked, “Why did you betray me?”
Levitzen replied that he truly believed the company was about to collapse, and that he felt there was no choice. After hearing that, Musk nodded.
A few months later, the two had dinner together again. Musk told him, “Life is too short. Let’s keep moving forward hand in hand.” They shook hands and made peace.
By 2008, SpaceX had failed three launches in a row, with finances tight. It was also the fund founded by those old colleagues that invested $20 million into SpaceX, allowing the fourth launch to go ahead.
If, back then, Musk had retaliated against them and become bitter enemies, that investment would never have happened—and SpaceX might not have survived.
Some injuries may not be fully forgiven, but the rest of your life is precious too. You can’t spend it all trying to demand justice from others.
Life is too short. We should keep moving forward together.$SPCXB
