Looking at Musk and Lei Jun, I personally feel that they are amplifications of characteristics in two different cultural environments: the United States and China.
Musk gives me the impression of being an extremely capable individual, very impressive, quick to dismiss people if they do not agree, and someone who is determined to achieve goals at all costs, showing a kind of personal heroism that is indifferent to life and death. Whatever he does, he accomplishes it, even if he has to keep trying despite continuous failure.
Musk only collaborates with impressive individuals and never keeps useless people around. If someone cannot compete with a hundred, there’s no need to keep them.
Reading his biography feels like he was bullied as a child and grew up to bully others. Whenever he talks about something, others think it's impossible, that he is bragging, yet he realizes everything step by step, fulfilling all the boasts he made in the past.
It’s a very strong kind of personal heroism.
But in contrast, Lei Jun often starts his press conferences with a tone of complaint, anxiety, and walking on thin ice, moving from weak to strong. You wouldn't feel any sharpness or stance from him. He bows and pleads with users to show mercy, he bends down to open the car door for users, and when producing the SU7, when everyone thought they could only sell 30,000 units, he single-handedly took on the order for 76,000 units.
He asks for everyone's opinions and seeks advice from the big players. He continuously tries to persuade and influence others. Even when no one believes, he remains steadfast in his heart.
Every time he releases a video, he speaks so slowly, afraid that the common people cannot keep up with his pace. He interacts with fans, going to the workshop to screw in bolts, and he runs off to take photos and sleep on the floor. When asked to create a washing machine, he released it in just a couple of months.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a marketing tactic or if it’s fake; the impression he leaves is one of humility, a billionaire who has no airs about him.
I think this is probably due to the different expressions brought about by different national conditions.
In China, if you want to be impressive, you will definitely face criticism and jealousy. That’s why the weak tend to rely on their ways. If virtue does not match position, it will eventually lead to disaster.
But the United States is different; as a former British colony, it must be strong and continuously strong, because if it is not strong, it will be swallowed up. Its entire culture glorifies this kind of heroism. Admiration for the strong is the main theme.
Both are outstanding entrepreneurs, and they are all so good at marketing. 👍🏻