Elon Musk’s Leadership Style Sparks Controversy Amid Firings and Criticism

A Manager Fired for Speaking Out Against Musk’s Controversial Post

In a recent incident that has drawn significant attention, Tesla, a flagship company in Elon Musk’s business empire, fired a manager who openly criticized Musk’s controversial social media post. Jared Ottmann, a manager and engineer who worked with Tesla’s battery suppliers, was let go after he objected to a post by Elon Musk on the social media platform X. The post in question referenced high-ranking Nazi officials, Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Göring, in a series of wordplay. Musk wrote, “Stop Göring your enemies” and “Bet you did Nazi that coming,” accompanied by a laughing-while-crying emoji. Ottmann expressed his offense on LinkedIn, stating that he found it inappropriate for Musk to joke about individuals responsible for genocide. He also revealed that he had raised concerns about Musk’s behavior internally since 2022, but Tesla as a company remained silent on the matter. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.

A Pattern of Suppressing Dissent Across Musk’s Companies

This incident is not an isolated one. Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and X, have a history of punishing employees who dare to criticize the CEO or his actions. For instance, in 2022, SpaceX fired nine employees who called on the company to distance itself from Musk’s controversial social media comments, including one where he mocked sexual harassment accusations against him. Some of these employees later filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Similarly, at X, which Musk acquired in 2022, several employees were fired after they criticized Musk on the platform. These actions have raised concerns about the culture of silencing dissent within Musk’s organizations. This pattern suggests that criticizing Musk, whether internally or publicly, can have severe consequences for employees.

Musk’s Political Leanings and the Growing Divide

Elon Musk’s right-wing political stance has also become a source of contention within his companies. He has shown support for a far-right party in Germany, whose members have been fined for using Nazi slogans. Additionally, Musk’s role as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration has further polarized his image. The recent controversy over his social media post has only exacerbated the divide. Employees at Tesla have expressed their frustrations about Musk’s political activities, which they feel are not only unprofessional but also harmful to the company’s reputation. During a meeting at Tesla’s Palo Alto offices, employees vented their concerns, with one manager even admitting to being discouraged by Musk’s behavior. This growing internal dissent highlights the challenges Musk faces in maintaining a unified workforce amid his increasingly divisive public persona.

Free Speech Paradox: Musk’s Contradictory Stance

Ironically, while Musk has positioned himself as a champion of free speech, his actions often contradict this stance. He has offered to fund lawsuits against employers who fire workers for their social media posts, even going so far as to support a former employee of the payments company Block who was fired for inflammatory posts made under a pseudonym. However, within his own companies, the reality appears to be quite different. Employees who criticize Musk or his actions are often met with swift repercussions, including termination. For example, a SpaceX employee was fired after suggesting that Musk should stop wearing company apparel during his campaign appearances for Trump. Although the employee was later reinstated, the incident underscores the tension between Musk’s public rhetoric on free speech and his private actions as an employer.

The Ripple Effects of Musk’s Behavior on Company Culture

The fallout from these incidents has not been confined to individual employees. They have also raised broader questions about the culture within Musk’s companies. Many employees feel that speaking out against Musk’s actions, whether related to his social media behavior or political activities, is risky and potentially career-ending. This has created an environment of fear and self-censorship, where employees are reluctant to voice their concerns, even when they believe it is the right thing to do. For instance, Ottmann revealed that while many colleagues offered him personal support, Tesla as a company chose not to address the issue. This reluctance to engage with criticism has left some employees feeling disillusioned and disconnected from the companies they work for.

Investors’ Growing Concerns About Musk’s Focus

As the controversies surrounding Musk continue to mount, investors in Tesla, the only publicly traded company Musk currently runs, are growing increasingly worried. They fear that Musk’s political activities and divisive rhetoric are alienating potential customers and damaging the company’s brand. Additionally, there are concerns that Musk is spending too much time on politics and not enough on addressing the challenges facing Tesla, such as declining car sales. These concerns have been reflected in Tesla’s stock performance, which has dropped by about 40% since reaching a high in December 2023. The decline suggests that investors are losing confidence in Musk’s ability to balance his myriad responsibilities while maintaining the health and direction of his companies. As Musk’s personal brand becomes increasingly entangled with his political beliefs, the question remains whether his companies can navigate the fallout without suffering long-term consequences.