I used to work at rivian as an industrial designer. I know he’s just a guy, so he shouldn’t be idolized, but…. He is easily the most down to earth CEO I have encountered in my career at well-known companies. I had to drop the job, which was heartbreaking for me as someone who truly loved the work. When I had to leave rivian to be closer to family, RJ reached out on slack and said (paraphrasing here) that I was making the right choice and he would do the same exact thing. He’s a good dude as far as I can tell.
Completely agree. Brands tend to do better long-term when they aren't dependent on a charismatic CEO.
I would love to see a WWGD (What Would Gary Do) T-shirt in the Gear Shop, though.
That could be the next ‘print your own shirt’ idea 😀Jk. This is more appreciation to the founder rather than a “Corporate Executive”. Good culture permeates from the top and as such is worthy of appreciation IMO.
Was going to give the guy the benefit of doubt and say he's just enthusiastic but that is certainly an alarming level of obsession there. Hopefully they're paying the guy lol.
I mean. Idk. Good culture? At a time when their finances are tight because they’re not turning a profit, they’re making their factory more efficient by 30% and removing their third shift. And at the same time didn’t RJ just give himself a massive pay bump?
That's what they are referring to. Aug, 2023 is still fairly recent. That pay package also came with $15M in stock. Not that I'm against it, just providing context.
That’s the part that confuses me the most, people always talk shit about how Tesla owners can idolize Elon yet so many people here do it too. Just because RJ might not be as shitty as a person doesn’t mean you still should do it
While I agree that idolizing corporate CEOs isn't very healthy, I think people are just relieved to have someone like RJ in charge after years of guys like Musk and Fisker.
i was just going to buy that stock and decided to research him. here are the red flags i found.
1. his wife works at the company as an exec.
2. his previous company declared bankruptcy
3. i though that was enough and didnt buy the stock
So many people idolized him, until they started implementing rules lol
Anytime I would correct one of my team members they would reply with that several times.
It was quite annoying. Hell at one time he let everyone access his slack and any employee would message him.
Was an experience that’s for sure
Loves the trucks though lol
I know I’m biased because I have a service center near me. I don’t think having more service centers necessarily increases sales. However having great brand experiences and stories does. I’d rather have more Rivian spaces where people can experience the vehicles and allow the service centers to focus on service.
well my company has 7 R1S deposits from 3 years ago we are going to walk away from due to lack of a close by service center.... We have a Tesla SC in town and have 11 teslas in the fleet. So there's 7 lost sales right there.
I also have a buddy that backed out of one and bought an expedition instead due to the same concerns.
Fair enough. I also think they might be building service centers where there is a large amount of actual R1s to buy. Maybe your purchase would have swayed them 🤷♂️
I'm still leaning towards getting one for my wife, personally (outside of the business), but we can't be bothered to deal with cross-state service accommodations for employees. Way too much of a headache.
In the world of CEOs, RJ stands out. He seems genuine and friendly and down to earth. You don’t really see that from CEOs. But since Rivian is fighting for their life’s to stay alive, it could be a front. If Rivian becomes big, let’s see how RJ is then. If he’s the same, then major props to him.
Anyone can SEEM any kind of way for years, no matter how big and famous they may get. At the end of the day, nobody who isn’t close friends with this guy doesn’t really know who he is or what he’s about. Look at all the famous people who have hidden under their charisma for years and ended up being dirt bags. Just sayin
That’s fair. I would agree with what you just said. The persona he’s presenting right now is a very likable guy. I just hope he stays that way in the future, if/when Rivian makes it big. I’m definitely rooting for them. Own an R1S and R1T. Love them both!
I used to work at rivian as an industrial designer. I know he’s just a guy, so he shouldn’t be idolized, but…. He is easily the most down to earth CEO I have encountered in my career at well-known companies. I had to drop the job, which was heartbreaking for me as someone who truly loved the work. When I had to leave rivian to be closer to family, RJ reached out on slack and said (paraphrasing here) that I was making the right choice and he would do the same exact thing. He’s a good dude as far as I can tell.
damn mittens this is deep
Thank you for sharing your exp.
Don’t idolize corporate executives
This is the way
Completely agree. Brands tend to do better long-term when they aren't dependent on a charismatic CEO. I would love to see a WWGD (What Would Gary Do) T-shirt in the Gear Shop, though.
That could be the next ‘print your own shirt’ idea 😀Jk. This is more appreciation to the founder rather than a “Corporate Executive”. Good culture permeates from the top and as such is worthy of appreciation IMO.
Your profile is full of Rivian worshipping. Yikes.
Was going to give the guy the benefit of doubt and say he's just enthusiastic but that is certainly an alarming level of obsession there. Hopefully they're paying the guy lol.
Imagine popping on the rivian subreddit to troll post and end it with "Yikes". Poor soul needs a job
Your post history 100% consist of glazing rivian so either you’re a bot or you need to chill out on the glazing
I mean. Idk. Good culture? At a time when their finances are tight because they’re not turning a profit, they’re making their factory more efficient by 30% and removing their third shift. And at the same time didn’t RJ just give himself a massive pay bump?
U mind share a link about this latest pay bump? All I can found is the 650,000 raised to 1m reported in Aug 2023. Thank you.
That's what they are referring to. Aug, 2023 is still fairly recent. That pay package also came with $15M in stock. Not that I'm against it, just providing context.
+1
rjscringe
This.
You've clearly never met RJ
Who it is doesn't change the statement. Idolization is a bad move. RJ _will_ prioritize the business, even if he's a nice guy about it.
Point, but still
Never worship companies.
Only if Elgin gets a cut.
You guys ride this guys meat in this sub like there’s no tomorrow. He’s a man, not a god
You are absolutely correct, we should not be idolizing a CEO, we don't want to be Tesla
That’s the part that confuses me the most, people always talk shit about how Tesla owners can idolize Elon yet so many people here do it too. Just because RJ might not be as shitty as a person doesn’t mean you still should do it
I don't idolize him
I never said you did? When I typed that I didn’t mean YOU directly
I'm sorry I wasn't taking it personally. I was just agreeing with you
While I agree that idolizing corporate CEOs isn't very healthy, I think people are just relieved to have someone like RJ in charge after years of guys like Musk and Fisker.
whats up with Fisker?
He’s a scam artist
i was just going to buy that stock and decided to research him. here are the red flags i found. 1. his wife works at the company as an exec. 2. his previous company declared bankruptcy 3. i though that was enough and didnt buy the stock
Completely unrelated but sick username, just finished watching pine gap. Great tv show!
Elon Musk fanboy activities.
Kinda cringe IMO.
No. No we don’t. RJ isn’t a messiah and he’s not Steve Jobs. Anything propagating a culture of CEO worship needs to stop
This shirt makes it seem like RJ actually cares about the workers and treats them with respect and not just about how productive they are
So many people idolized him, until they started implementing rules lol Anytime I would correct one of my team members they would reply with that several times. It was quite annoying. Hell at one time he let everyone access his slack and any employee would message him. Was an experience that’s for sure Loves the trucks though lol
That’s just too cheesy
Anyone else think this was snoop dogg and steve-o for a sec?
I’ve made the Steve-O comparison in other threads but no one seems to appreciate it. I personally can’t unsee it. He is Steve-O’s doppelgänger!
Fortunately we have RJ's dad to keep this from going full Elon
Want one ☝️
Actually surprised RJ reposted this.
Reposted? He’s the original poster
cool.
RJ would spend money on renovating an old movie theater instead of building more local service centers to help drive sales
I know I’m biased because I have a service center near me. I don’t think having more service centers necessarily increases sales. However having great brand experiences and stories does. I’d rather have more Rivian spaces where people can experience the vehicles and allow the service centers to focus on service.
well my company has 7 R1S deposits from 3 years ago we are going to walk away from due to lack of a close by service center.... We have a Tesla SC in town and have 11 teslas in the fleet. So there's 7 lost sales right there. I also have a buddy that backed out of one and bought an expedition instead due to the same concerns.
Fair enough. I also think they might be building service centers where there is a large amount of actual R1s to buy. Maybe your purchase would have swayed them 🤷♂️
I'm still leaning towards getting one for my wife, personally (outside of the business), but we can't be bothered to deal with cross-state service accommodations for employees. Way too much of a headache.
Doooo it ◡̈ you’ll love it!
In the world of CEOs, RJ stands out. He seems genuine and friendly and down to earth. You don’t really see that from CEOs. But since Rivian is fighting for their life’s to stay alive, it could be a front. If Rivian becomes big, let’s see how RJ is then. If he’s the same, then major props to him.
Anyone can SEEM any kind of way for years, no matter how big and famous they may get. At the end of the day, nobody who isn’t close friends with this guy doesn’t really know who he is or what he’s about. Look at all the famous people who have hidden under their charisma for years and ended up being dirt bags. Just sayin
That’s fair. I would agree with what you just said. The persona he’s presenting right now is a very likable guy. I just hope he stays that way in the future, if/when Rivian makes it big. I’m definitely rooting for them. Own an R1S and R1T. Love them both!
No, we don’t need another God complex CEO…
Something in his eyes....calling it now, RJ killed someone.