The Post That Captivated Millions: How One Lawyer’s Viral LinkedIn Post Is Transforming Entrepreneurial Productivity
About a year ago, Mehdi Soodi, founder of Falcon Immigration & Visa Services in Melbourne, Australia, made a simple but profound decision: to share a LinkedIn post inspired by Elon Musk’s six rules for productivity. The post wasn’t flashy or designed to go viral, yet it has since garnered over 40 million impressions and 12,000+ comments, becoming a landmark of social media engagement.
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While Soodi marveled at the post’s success, stating, “Can’t believe this post has reached 20,000,000 people. I hope most people use the tips in it. I do!”, its resonance with creative entrepreneurs and business leaders speaks to something deeper.
How could a set of productivity tips, born in the high-tech offices of Tesla, offer so much value to purpose-driven entrepreneurs like you, navigating the complexities of the creative economy?
The answer lies in the simplicity of Musk’s rules and the universality of their appeal. They offer actionable strategies for improving focus, efficiency, and decision-making—three things every entrepreneur craves, but often struggles to maintain.
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If you are ready to apply these rules to your business, let’s dive deeper into each one and explore how you can use them to supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.
Why Musk’s Six Rules Matter to You as a Creative Entrepreneur
Elon Musk, known for running multiple high-stakes businesses including Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), needs no introduction and we have talked about him at length in AClasses Media publications. His time is the ultimate premium, and his six rules reflect his no-nonsense approach to productivity.
For you, as a creative entrepreneur, these rules transcend the corporate office and offer a valuable framework for managing time, cutting out distractions, and fostering innovation.
According to the 2023 Creative Economy Outlook by the United Nations, the global creative economy is valued at over $2.25 trillion and continues to grow. Yet, many creative professionals report feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks, meetings, and operational inefficiencies.
This is where Musk’s rules can make a transformative difference in how you manage your business for effective results.
Rule Nr. One: Avoid Large Meetings
One of Musk’s key tenets is to avoid large meetings. Large gatherings not only waste time but also discourage open debate and meaningful contributions. Think about the last time you were in a large meeting. Were most of the participants truly engaged? Or were they quietly checking emails or zoning out?
In the fast-paced world of creative entrepreneurship, time is your most valuable asset. Studies show that the average employee spends around 31 hours per month in unproductive meetings. For you, this lost time translates into missed opportunities for creating, innovating, and connecting with your audience.
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Instead, focus on keeping your meetings small and purposeful. For example, if you are a content creator or design entrepreneur, you might opt for one-on-one or small team brainstorming sessions where everyone’s input is necessary and valued.
This allows for deeper engagement and sharper insights. Only schedule larger meetings if they add value to every participant involved. Otherwise, you are simply draining collective energy.
Rule Nr. Two: Leave a Meeting If You Are Not Contributing
Musk emphasizes that it’s not rude to leave a meeting if you are not adding value, instead, it’s rude to stay and waste time. As an entrepreneur, you may feel obligated to attend every meeting, especially if it’s related to your business.
However, if your input isn’t necessary, your presence might actually be counterproductive. So, think about that.
A study published in Harvard Business Review found that managers and employees alike often feel pressured to attend meetings, even if they don’t contribute. The result is a decrease in overall productivity. Sometimes by up to 15%.
Instead of passively participating in meetings where your input isn’t needed, refocus that time on tasks that align with your core strengths and priorities.
As a creative leader, you should empower your team to take ownership of projects and meetings. Give them the autonomy to manage without your constant presence.
This not only builds trust but also frees you up to focus on areas that need your expertise—whether that’s developing new products, networking, or engaging with clients.
Rule Nr. Three: Forget the Chain of Command
Musk’s third rule—forget the chain of command—encourages you to communicate directly with colleagues, not through supervisors or managers. For many creative entrepreneurs, this idea is particularly relevant.
You thrive on agility and speed, and rigid hierarchies can slow you down. The quicker you can exchange ideas and make decisions, the more competitive you will be.
Consider the modern business landscape, where companies that prioritize fast communication consistently outperform those that adhere to strict corporate ladders.
According to a 2021 report by McKinsey & Company, organizations that encouraged cross-functional collaboration were 70% more likely to grow faster than their peers. By cutting out unnecessary layers of communication, you can make faster, more informed decisions, which will ultimately set you apart from competitors.
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This also applies to client relationships. If you are a freelance graphic designer, for example, and you are working with a client’s team, don’t hesitate to bypass formal channels if direct communication is more efficient.
Just be respectful of boundaries but understand that your ability to move quickly can often make the difference between winning or losing a project.
Rule Nr. Four: Be Clear, Not Clever
Musk’s insistence on clear, concise communication couldn’t be more relevant in the creative economy, where messaging is key to connecting with your audience. As an entrepreneur, you are likely passionate about what you do, and that passion can sometimes lead to overcomplicating your messaging—whether in your marketing materials, client presentations, or even internal communication.
According to a study by the Content Marketing Institute, 60% of the most successful brands attribute their success to clarity in messaging.
As a suggestion, be simple. Using plain, easy-to-understand language not only helps you communicate better with clients but also ensures that your brand is accessible to a wider audience. Whether you are pitching a new project or writing a blog post, simplicity will always win over complexity.
So, next time you are drafting a piece of content or working on a pitch, ask yourself: “Am I being clear, or am I trying to sound clever?”
The goal is not to impress with jargon but to communicate effectively and efficiently. Come to think of it, that is what your audience will appreciate, and it could lead to stronger, more meaningful connections.
Rule Nr. Five: Ditch Frequent Meetings
Frequent meetings are the bane of productivity, especially for creative entrepreneurs. Musk argues that meetings should only be used to collaborate, solve urgent problems, or attack specific issues.
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Once an issue is resolved, there’s no need to continue meeting on it. In fact, a study by Atlassian found that excessive meetings cost U.S. businesses $37 billion annually in lost productivity.
For you, the takeaway is clear: stop holding meetings for the sake of it. Instead, look for ways to communicate asynchronously. Tools like Slack, Trello, or even simple email threads allow for collaboration without interrupting your team’s workflow.
By reducing the number of meetings, you will free up more time to focus on the creative work that drives your business forward.
Rule Nr. Six: Use Common Sense
Finally, Musk advises entrepreneurs to use common sense when following company rules. If a rule doesn’t make sense in each context or doesn’t contribute to progress, don’t follow it blindly.
This advice resonates with creative entrepreneurs like you, who often operate in unconventional environments where flexibility is key to innovation.
In your business, it’s important to stay nimble and adaptable. If a process or rule is hindering your ability to create, question it. Challenge the status quo.
Some of the most successful creative businesses—think Airbnb, Spotify, or Etsy—grew because their founders weren’t afraid to break the mold and rewrite the rules.
At this point, I like to refer to Mehdi’s work because he initiated this entire conversation with his LinkedIn post, a year ago.
Falcon Immigration’s Client-First Approach: A Lesson in Connection
While Musk’s rules offer a robust framework for productivity, Mehdi Soodi’s Falcon Immigration offers another powerful lesson for creative entrepreneurs: the importance of a client-first approach.
Falcon Immigration integrates up-to-date knowledge with technology and communication skills to deliver personalized services in an industry fraught with complexity.
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For you, the lesson is this: prioritize your clients and stay ahead of industry trends. By providing personalized services and ensuring that your client’s needs come first, you can stand out in a crowded market.
In a survey by Deloitte, 88% of customers said they are more loyal to companies that prioritize personalized experiences. Apply this thinking to your business by building stronger client relationships and continuously evolving your offerings based on client feedback.
Bonus tip: How to Capitalize on a Viral Moment
What can you learn from Mehdi Soodi’s viral post that garnered over 40 million impressions? The key lies in leveraging your platform to create content that resonates with your audience on a deeper level.
Whether it’s through a LinkedIn post, a blog, or a podcast, every piece of content you share has the potential to become a conversation starter.
Consistency is key. Don’t expect every post to go viral, but understand that engaging content, when aligned with your purpose, can build long-term credibility and influence.
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If you capture the essence of your story, align it with your audience’s values, and share it authentically, you can create the kind of viral moment that leads to sustainable growth.
Conclusion: Embrace Productivity and Purpose
Mehdi Soodi’s viral LinkedIn post isn’t just a social media success story—it’s a blueprint for improving how you run your creative business. By applying Elon Musk’s six productivity rules and embracing a client-first mentality, you can not only boost your efficiency but also deepen your connections with your clients and audience.
As the global creative economy continues to grow, the competition will only get fiercer. But by focusing on what truly matters—productive time, clear communication, client relationships, and purpose—you can lead in your market, build a more efficient business, and create lasting impact.
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Now, it’s your turn: How will you apply these principles to your entrepreneurial journey? Whether you are cutting out unnecessary meetings or simplifying your messaging, every small change can lead to big results. Good luck.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.