#### Rule 1: Leave a meeting if you're not contributing - Walk out of a meeting or hang up the phone the moment you realize you are not contributing. - If you are not adding value -- get the hell out of there. - It is not rude to leave, it is rude to waste other people's time. #### Rule 2: Avoid large meetings - The smaller the meeting, the more productive it will be - Don't just go to a meeting to nod or fill empty seats. - Anyone who doesn't need to be there is wasting their time and will ultimately waste everyone else's time. #### Rule 3: Communicate directly, irrespective of hierarchy - Any manager who attempts to enforce communication through the chain of command will find themselves working elsewhere. - Communicate through paths that will get the job done. Forget the "chain of command" - have a bias for action. #### Rule 4: Quit using nonsense words and technical jargon - Don’t use acronyms for objects, software, or processes at Tesla. - In general, anything requiring an explanation inhibits communication. - We don’t want people to have to memorize a glossary just to function. #### Rule 5: Ditch frequent meetings - Get rid of regular meetings, unless you are dealing with an extremely urgent matter. - Meeting frequency should drop rapidly once the urgent matter is resolved. - Time is too precious and scarce to be spent sitting around a desk. #### Rule 6: Always pick common sense as your guide. - If following a 'company rule' is ridiculous in a particular situation, then the rule should change. - One way to build a common sense culture is to play "Kill a Stupid Rule." It's easy.