Elon Musk is not like most CEOs. A sudden 9 p.m. all-hands meeting at Tesla would normally trigger panic in any other company. But for Musk, it was just another night. The surprise late-night meeting raised eyebrows and concerns—yet it also revealed how much Musk can still get away with, simply because he’s Elon Musk.
A Leader Who Breaks the Rules
Most CEOs follow strict business norms and respect professional boundaries. Musk doesn’t. Over the years, he’s convinced employees to work in factory tents and even sleep at the office during tight deadlines. While that behavior might be accepted in a startup’s early days, Tesla is now a global company with thousands of employees and investors.
Experts believe that the more responsibilities Musk takes on, the riskier his style becomes. He’s currently running multiple companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter)—while also joining government advisory roles. As Wil Schroter, CEO of Startups.com, points out, managing this many roles successfully seems nearly impossible.
The Cost of a Late-Night Meeting
The recent 9 p.m. companywide meeting in Austin came with little notice and was even delayed due to tech issues. This, experts say, sends a negative message. Melissa Schilling, a professor at NYU’s Stern School, said the sudden meeting shows poor planning and can make employees feel like their time isn’t valued.
When leaders make last-minute demands at odd hours, it can hurt morale and create uncertainty among staff. Musk’s central role in Tesla’s brand means his actions have more weight. Schilling warned that this kind of behavior is no longer just quirky—it’s risky.
A Pattern of Overwork and Chaos
This isn’t the first time Musk’s intense work style has made headlines. He once slept on the floor of the Tesla factory during a production crisis. While trying to transform Twitter into X, he admitted to crashing on the office couch.
Musk’s late-night meeting may have been driven by recent problems at Tesla — including vandalism incidents and a drop in stock price. While the meeting may have helped calm some investor nerves, it also showed signs that things may not be running smoothly behind the scenes.
The Power of Personality
So how does Musk continue to get away with it?
Dorie Clark, a communication coach and professor at Columbia Business School, believes it’s because people expect Musk to be unpredictable. From smoking marijuana during a podcast interview to making emotional public statements, Musk has created a brand of being a little chaotic — and people have accepted it.
According to Clark, the meeting may have even signaled to employees that Musk is still paying attention. But she warns that this kind of emotional connection won’t fix deeper problems unless it’s followed by real action.
More Than Just a Zoom Call
Despite the poor timing, some experts think the personal approach may have helped Musk connect with employees. Schroter noted that speaking directly to staff, even via Zoom, has more impact than a company-wide email. It shows the leader is involved and shares their concerns.
However, there’s a limit to how much leaders can ask of their teams. Schroter explained that most CEOs wouldn’t be able to pull off what Musk does. But Musk’s workers, like those who once followed Apple’s Steve Jobs, often go above and beyond because they believe in his vision.
How Long Can the Musk Effect Last?
Elon Musk may still enjoy support from loyal employees and investors, but that support isn’t endless. If Tesla were to face a major crisis, like a sharp stock crash, even Musk might start to lose goodwill.
Right now, he’s able to bend the rules — sometimes break them — because of his track record and larger-than-life image. But experts agree: Musk’s power comes with risks, and the more pressure he takes on, the harder it will be to keep control.
The Information is Collected from CNBC and Business Insider.
