Elon Musk’s companies are known for shaking up industries, from electric cars to space travel. But behind the flashy headlines is a workplace that divides opinion. For some, it’s a chance to make history. For others, it’s an intense grind where only the toughest stick it out.
A Culture of Chaos and Genius
Musk’s leadership style is anything but conventional. Known for his hands-on involvement and relentless pursuit of perfection, he demands extraordinary commitment. Former Tesla engineers recall late-night emails timestamped at 2 a.m., often followed by Musk showing up at 8 a.m. for a detailed review. One employee said, “You’re either part of the solution, or you’re out. There’s no room for mediocrity.”
At SpaceX, the pace is equally intense. Employees describe it as a place where “you’ll work harder than you’ve ever worked, but you’ll learn more in a year than most do in five.” The stakes are high, and so are the expectations. One former engineer noted, “If Elon spots an issue, he’ll zero in on it until it’s fixed, even if it means scrapping weeks of work.”
Another ex-employee shared a moment when Musk demanded a complete redesign of a rocket’s fuel system just weeks before a major launch, causing the entire team to work around the clock for days.
But this high-octane culture comes at a cost. Burnout is a recurring theme in anecdotes from former employees, who often cite the unrelenting hours and lack of work-life balance. A Reddit user claiming to be an ex-SpaceX employee described the environment as “grueling,” adding, “You’ll give everything you have, and it still might not be enough.” Another engineer mentioned missing family milestones because “leaving the office before 10 p.m. felt like slacking off.”
The Twitter Experiment
When Musk took over Twitter, his approach was no less dramatic. Reports of mass layoffs, sudden policy changes, and unrelenting demands quickly emerged. “Working for Elon is like being on a rollercoaster without a seatbelt,” a former Twitter employee told Observer. Employees were expected to adapt—or leave. One insider shared that Musk’s leadership created “a sense of urgency that was both inspiring and suffocating.”
A specific incident that stood out was Musk’s abrupt decision to reconfigure Twitter’s subscription model. According to a former team member, “We had to overhaul months of work in a single weekend, and Elon personally reviewed every detail, down to the font size on the payment page.”
Another employee recounted a meeting where Musk openly criticized a project manager for “thinking too small,” leading to a complete pivot that required 12-hour days for the entire team for weeks.
While some found the chaos energizing, others struggled to keep up. “He expects the same level of intensity from everyone that he gives,” a former manager said. This approach often left employees feeling expendable, with little room for error. “It’s like you’re constantly auditioning for your job,” one ex-employee noted.
The Double-Edged Sword of Ambition
Musk’s companies are undeniably mission-driven, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Many employees are drawn to the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects, like Tesla’s push for sustainable energy or SpaceX’s mission to colonize Mars. “You feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself,” a Tesla engineer said.
However, the flip side is a workplace where the mission often takes precedence over individuals. At Neuralink, for example, some employees reported working 12-hour days for months on end, with little recognition for their efforts.
“It’s all about the goal,” one former staffer remarked.“ Everything else is secondary.” A Neuralink technician recalled being asked to cancel a planned vacation to meet a sudden deadline, with Musk saying, “We’re trying to change the future here. Take your vacation when the world catches up.”
At Tesla, a former employee described a moment when Musk insisted on testing a new production line overnight, leading to a makeshift setup where workers improvised with duct tape and wrenches. “It was a disaster, but somehow, it worked,” the employee said. “That’s the magic and madness of working for Elon.”
Lessons from Musk’s Workplaces
For those who can handle the pressure, working for Elon Musk is both an extraordinary challenge and an unparalleled learning experience. His companies are filled with brilliant minds and ambitious projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible. But the cost of this environment is steep. Many employees leave exhausted, though often with stories that will last a lifetime.
