Elon Musk is renowned for his demanding and high-pressure management style, which has become a defining feature of his leadership across his ventures. From Tesla to SpaceX and now Twitter—rebranded as X—Musk’s approach has always been characterized by intense expectations, long hours, and a relentless drive towards ambitious goals. Here’s an inside look at what it’s like to work under Musk and how his methods are currently playing out at X.

The Intensity of Working with Elon Musk

Employees who have worked closely with Elon Musk describe him as an intense figure, with a management style that leaves little room for complacency. If you find yourself in a conversation with Musk, be prepared to be concise and quick—Musk expects direct and efficient communication. As one former employee noted, Musk’s interactions often involve 2:00 AM texts and 6:00 AM conference calls, reflecting his unorthodox schedule and high expectations.

Former employees recount that meetings with Musk often required a jolt of caffeine just to keep up with his pace. “When I used to go into meetings with him, I would always stop by our barista and get a couple of espressos before going in,” one recalled. Musk himself has never explicitly stated his expectations, but the unspoken rule is clear: you have 30 seconds to make your point.

From Tesla to Twitter: A Consistent Playbook

Musk’s approach at Tesla, which he took over in 2008, involved a dramatic overhaul to push his vision of reinventing the auto industry. His tactics included sending the company into crisis mode to jumpstart production and innovation. This same management style has been applied to X, where Musk is attempting to remake the platform with a similarly intense approach.

Rallying Employees with a Mission

One of Musk’s strategies for driving his teams is to rally them around a compelling mission. At Tesla, Carl Medlock, who joined in 2009, was inspired by the company’s vision, leading him and others to work extreme hours—often sacrificing personal time and well-being. Despite not seeing Musk engage in rah-rah meetings, Medlock and his colleagues were motivated by the overarching goal of revolutionizing the auto industry.

Similarly, Garrett Reisman, a former SpaceX employee, found motivation in the mission to make human life multi-planetary. Reisman described SpaceX’s environment as demanding but not solely due to Musk’s personal intensity. The mission itself was a powerful motivator.

At X, however, the mission is less dramatic than the ambitious goals of Tesla or SpaceX. Musk’s current focus on protecting free speech, while significant, lacks the grandiose vision of reaching Mars. This difference in mission stakes could affect employee motivation and engagement.

The “Hardcore” Culture

Musk’s concept of being “hardcore” involves working long hours and maintaining a high level of intensity. He has encouraged employees to commit to 80 to 100-hour work weeks, a practice he himself exemplifies. Musk’s approach was evident in a 2012 email to Tesla staff, where he urged them to prepare for an intense period of work, labeled “Ultra Hardcore.”

When he took over Twitter, Musk issued a similar call for extreme dedication. However, this demand led to a significant exodus of employees who were unwilling to align with Musk’s vision for “Twitter 2.0.” The departure of over 1,000 employees highlighted the challenge Musk faces in transforming the company while managing the remaining workforce.

Financial Stakes and Motivational Tactics

Musk’s strategy also includes raising the financial stakes to drive performance. At Tesla, during the Great Recession, Musk personally invested his last millions to keep the company afloat, showcasing his commitment. Similarly, at X, Musk has warned of potential financial instability if the company doesn’t secure substantial subscription revenue. This approach aims to motivate employees by underscoring the urgency of the company’s financial situation.

The “Special Forces” Mentality

Musk’s hiring and management philosophy is to create a “special forces” team of top talent. At Tesla, this meant selecting a few key engineers to tackle critical problems, thereby avoiding the bureaucracy of larger teams. This mentality has continued at X, where Musk is focusing on retaining and recruiting top talent to drive the company’s transformation.

Conclusion: The High Cost of High Intensity

Elon Musk’s management style—marked by high pressure, long hours, and a relentless pursuit of ambitious goals—has been a defining feature of his leadership across Tesla, SpaceX, and now X. While this approach has driven significant achievements, it also comes with a high cost. The intense pressure and demanding expectations have led to high turnover and a challenging work environment.

As Musk continues to reshape X, the effectiveness of his management style will be closely watched. The balance between inspiring dedication and managing employee well-being will be crucial in determining the future success of his latest venture. For those working at X, navigating Musk’s high-stakes environment requires resilience and a commitment to his ambitious vision.