In a newly released biography by Walter Isaacson, insights from former SpaceX employees shed light on the impact of Elon Musk’s distinctive management style. Musk is renowned for his relentless work ethic and his expectation that his team mirror his unwavering commitment to their endeavors. Isaacson’s biography, published this week, delves into Musk’s management philosophy, which fosters agility, risk-taking, rule-breaking, and a willingness to question established norms.
Musk’s unorthodox approach has led to remarkable achievements, including human space travel, orbital missions, and the establishment of the world’s most successful electric vehicle (EV) company. However, this “demon mode” management style comes at a cost to those who work alongside him.
Isaacson shared, “A cloud comes over, and he gets into a trance, and he can just be tough in a cold way.” This intensity was vividly illustrated by one engineer, Kiko Dontchev, who, after working three consecutive days, found himself summoned back to the hangar by Musk. Despite having started on a bottle of wine, Dontchev felt compelled to return, stating, “I worried about getting pulled over for drunk driving, but that seemed less of a risk than ignoring Elon.”
In several instances, SpaceX employees found Musk’s demanding leadership and high expectations too challenging, prompting them to leave the company.
For example, Lucas Hughes, a financial analyst at SpaceX since August 2021, faced a stern encounter with Musk shortly after the loss of his first child. During a meeting, when Hughes couldn’t provide immediate component cost details for a new engine part, Musk delivered a stark message in an emotionless tone, saying, “you better be f***ing sure in the future you know these things off the top of your head.” Musk added, “If you don’t improve, your resignation will be accepted.” Remarkably, within a day, they devised a plan to reduce engine costs from $2 million to $200,000 in just one year. Despite their accomplishments, Hughes chose to depart SpaceX in May 2022, recognizing that, in Musk’s view, employees could be replaced when deemed necessary.
Even senior employees at SpaceX had to adapt to Musk’s unyielding approach. Tom Mueller, former propulsion chief at SpaceX, explained, “I learned never to tell him no” when speaking about Musk in the biography.
When asked about his management style, Musk defended his approach, saying, “I give people hardcore feedback, mostly accurate, and I try not to do it in a way that’s ad hominem.” He emphasized that his critiques are directed at actions rather than individuals. Musk added, “Physics does not care about hurt feelings. It cares about whether you got the rocket right.”
Elon Musk’s unique management approach remains a topic of debate, with its merits and challenges, as it continues to shape SpaceX’s journey toward ambitious goals in the space exploration and EV industries.