All 25 tactics
02 The Algorithm

Delete Any Part of the Process You Can

Delete ruthlessly, then add back only the ~10% you actually need.

A common mistake is to simplify and optimize a part or a process that should not exist.

Musk’s mantra: delete ruthlessly, then add back only 10% if needed. This fights the bureaucracy and bloat that naturally accumulate in organizations.

Twitter (X). Post-acquisition in 2022, he deleted ~80% of staff (7,500 → ~1,500 within six months) and whole feature sets, streamlining to focus on core functionality.

The Boring Company. He deleted complex tunnel designs, cutting Vegas Loop costs to $10M/mile versus $1B/mile for traditional subways.

SpaceX. The same instinct led to reusable rockets — deleting disposable parts saved billions in launch costs.

After PayPal’s sale, Musk could have retired but deleted comfort itself to start SpaceX, risking everything on a mission he believed in.

Pre/post-deletion impact

SpaceX $400M/rocket → $60M/rocket, 500+ launches.
Tesla 6-month delays → Gigafactory output up 50%.
Twitter/X Bloated workforce → 80% reduction in operating costs.
Boring Company Traditional tunnel design → 90% cost reduction per mile.

Apply it. Review your workflow — delete meetings under 5 people. Expect 10–20% efficiency gains immediately. For maximum impact, make deletion a regular practice, not a one-time event.