Elon Musk isn’t just known for launching rockets or reinventing the auto industry — he’s infamous for his no-nonsense, high-pressure leadership style that drives some to greatness and others to the brink. Now, former employees from Tesla and SpaceX are speaking out, painting a vivid picture of what it’s really like to work for one of the world’s most demanding bosses.

From 2:00 AM texts to 6:00 AM conference calls, Musk’s pace is relentless. One former staffer even confessed to chugging espresso shots before meetings just to keep up. “You have 30 seconds to make your point,” said one, revealing Musk’s preference for concise, no-fluff communication.

When Musk took over Tesla in 2008, he threw the company into crisis mode to push his vision of electric cars. Now, he’s applying the same cutthroat approach to reshape Twitter. The question is — will it work again?

A Mission-First Mentality

For Musk, it all starts with the mission. Whether it’s colonizing Mars or accelerating the world’s shift to sustainable energy, he uses big-picture goals to inspire intense loyalty and long hours. Carl Medlock, a former Tesla employee, recalled working 80–100 hour weeks, driven by passion and belief in the vision. Garrett Reisman, who joined SpaceX in 2011, agreed. “It’s not about being forced to work hard,” he said. “The mission itself pulls you in.”

But Twitter is different. While Musk has touted free speech as the platform’s core purpose, insiders admit it doesn’t carry the same urgency or inspiration as building a space colony. That could be his biggest challenge yet.

Hardcore or Burnout?

Musk’s idea of being “hardcore” — working up to 100 hours a week — isn’t just a catchphrase. In 2012, during the ramp-up of Tesla’s Model S, he sent an email titled “Ultra Hardcore,” warning employees to prepare for the most intense period of their careers.

He sent a similar message after acquiring Twitter. Instead of rallying the troops, hundreds of employees walked out, unwilling to sign up for “Twitter 2.0.”

Still, Musk leads by example. He’s been known to sleep at Tesla and Twitter offices — sometimes even on the floor. One former employee recalled seeing Musk asleep on an engineer’s desk at 5:00 AM. Another said Musk paid company bills with his personal credit card during Tesla’s darkest financial hour. “He’ll do whatever it takes,” they said. “He lives it.”

“Special Forces” Culture

When Musk takes the reins, cuts follow. After becoming Tesla’s CEO, he slashed 20% of the workforce. Just one week after taking over Twitter, he laid off around half the staff. Sources estimate over 1,000 have since resigned.

This Darwinian approach creates a “special forces” culture. Musk doesn’t want large teams — he wants elite individuals who can move fast and break boundaries. “He wants one brilliant engineer over 100 average ones,” said a former insider.

Forget hierarchy. If Musk cares about what you’re doing, he’ll speak to you directly, skipping the chain of command entirely. He’s hands-on, detail-obsessed, and doesn’t tolerate mediocrity.

High Stakes, High Pressure

Musk’s leadership style includes financial motivation, too. In 2008, during the Great Recession, he bet everything on Tesla — including his own money. In 2022, he warned Twitter employees that without more subscription revenue, the company might not survive.

Today, as advertising revenues shrink and economic uncertainty looms, Musk is racing to pivot Twitter into a profitable private company. He’s searching for loyal lieutenants who share his vision — and his stamina.

Final Thoughts

For some, Musk is a visionary. For others, he’s a force of chaos. Former employees describe him as inspiring but exhausting, brilliant yet unpredictable. He may be building empires, but at what cost?