Elon Musk has been dominating headlines recently, not only for his innovations but also for how his leadership style impacts his companies, his people, and the entire auto industry. As someone who cares deeply about the future of our beloved auto industry, I want to share five crucial leadership lessons for Elon Musk. This isn’t about criticism for its own sake but about improvement and the urgent need for strong leadership in a time of disruption.
1. Stay Mission-Driven and Aligned
Musk is undeniably mission-driven. He once said,
“The acceleration of sustainable energy is absolutely fundamental because this is the next potential risk for humanity. So obviously, that is by far and away the most important thing.”
Tesla is a remarkable example of a mission-driven company. Employees, investors, and customers have rallied around this vision of sustainable energy. However, when a leader with such influence aligns publicly with individuals or groups who do not share that mission, it creates confusion and uncertainty. The lesson: when your actions diverge from your stated mission, you risk eroding the trust and unity you’ve built. Stay on task and ensure your actions constantly reinforce your mission.
2. Inspire Innovation But Don’t Lead with Fear
Musk’s relentless drive to solve problems is legendary. He inspires teams to push boundaries and innovate at an incredible pace. However, that same intensity can foster a fear-based culture that stifles creativity and disengages talented people. There’s a difference between the leadership needed in a startup and the leadership required at scale. As Tesla and SpaceX have grown, the need for psychological safety and empathy has become more important than ever. Innovation flourishes when people feel safe to take risks—not when they’re afraid to fail.
3. Lead by Example In Every Arena
Musk is known for leading by example, working long hours, and immersing himself in the details. But leadership also involves modeling the behaviors you want to see in others, especially in public. Recent high-profile disputes, such as public clashes with political leaders, send the wrong message to employees and stakeholders. When leaders create chaos instead of calm, it breeds uncertainty and impacts everything from morale to market performance. Close the gap between the leader your company needs and the behaviors you display, both inside and outside the organization.
4. Empower, Don’t Micromanage
Musk’s intelligence and problem-solving ability are beyond dispute, but that doesn’t mean he should solve every problem himself. Micromanagement undermines talented teams and erodes trust and autonomy. True empowerment means offering guidance, then stepping back to let people find their own solutions even if it takes a bit longer. This is how sustainable, high-performing cultures are built.
5. Define and Live Your Leadership Model
Every leader should ask themselves: Who am I as a leader? How do I want to lead? Authenticity and consistency are key, especially when the world is watching. Leaders have a responsibility to bring calm to chaos, not to create it. People need psychological safety to do their best work. When uncertainty reigns, it distracts and paralyzes teams. Take time to define your leadership model, ensure it aligns with your values and mission, and let your actions follow.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
Let’s acknowledge how much Elon Musk has done for the auto industry. He’s pushed us all to think and act differently, to challenge old assumptions, and to eliminate waste at every level of production. For that, we thank him.
But now, more than ever, we need him to focus on execution and on his leadership. Startup leadership differs from what it takes to lead at scale in a global industry. At this stage, we can’t afford any more missteps.
And let’s be clear: the real existential threat to our industry isn’t internal politics or public distractions, it’s the rapid rise of Chinese OEMs. Their aggressive innovation and scale are reshaping the competitive landscape. The noise and uncertainty coming from leadership distractions only make it harder for us to compete. We need you, Elon, focused and leading from the front because the entire industry is watching—and we can’t afford to lose our edge now.
Let’s keep the conversation going about what authentic, effective leadership looks like in today’s world.
For more information on authentic leadership, download the 21 Traits of Authentic Leadership here.
Meet the author: Jan Griffiths is the architect of cultural change in the automotive industry. Her Amazon best-seller is AutoCulture 2.0.
As the President and founder of Gravitas Detroit, Jan Griffiths brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for transforming company cultures. Additionally, she hosts The Automotive Leaders Podcast, where she shares insightful conversations with industry visionaries. With her extensive experience and commitment to authentic leadership, Jan Griffiths is at the forefront of revolutionizing the automotive landscape.
