Sam Altman's management quirk? DMing 'a few hundred' OpenAI employees every day

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has an intriguing approach to communication that emphasizes direct engagement. In a recent discussion with Stripe's CEO, Patrick Collison, Altman revealed that he reaches out to 'a few hundred' employees each day using various messaging platforms, including texts and Slack. He emphasized that these exchanges are brief, often consisting of just one or two messages and are personally managed by him, not delegated to an assistant. This hands-on approach not only keeps him connected with his team but also provides him with valuable insights that can influence decision-making in subtle yet significant ways. Remarkably, if we do some simple math, it appears Altman could be sending around 39,000 messages annually, assuming a five-day workweek. His preference for direct communication is further highlighted by his disdain for Slack, which he believes is essential despite his personal aversion to it. When discussing his management style, Altman described himself as someone who prefers to empower talented individuals rather than micromanage them. He believes in setting high-level goals and allowing his team the freedom to innovate. As OpenAI transitions into what Altman calls its third era—evolving from a research lab focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI) to a company that also develops consumer-oriented products—he acknowledges the need for his leadership style to adapt. Altman is aware that the shift from research to product development requires different skills and approaches. He noted that the challenges of this new phase may not align perfectly with his management style, prompting him to consider new strategies. This could include hiring additional talent or even leveraging artificial intelligence to facilitate management tasks, ensuring that OpenAI can effectively navigate its ambitious goals.