---
title: "The weekly cadence"
description: "Elon Musk's weekly problem-solving session that creates urgency and accountability."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-algorithm/the-weekly-cadence/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The weekly cadence

> Elon Musk's weekly problem-solving session that creates urgency and accountability.

Jon McNeill's framework, from The Algorithm, pp. 95 to 127.

Framework 5 of 7 from [The Algorithm](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-algorithm/index.md) by Jon McNeill. Category: Hiring and teams.

## The steps

1. **Pick two or three critical problems.** Name the biggest challenges, centred on the product.
2. **Assign a small team and a deadline.** Give a small group of people who each make a difference one firm goal and date.
3. **Report weekly to the top executive.** Teams report steps taken, learnings and results to the CEO, who takes part in solving the problem.
4. **Know the details.** The leader studies the domain well enough to ask smart questions and contribute to the answer.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Part II: The Three Cultural Ingredients of the Algorithm, pp. 95–127

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/the-weekly-cadence.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/the-weekly-cadence-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/the-weekly-cadence.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/the-weekly-cadence-dark.png