'Some Employees Survive, But A Whole Lot Don't,' Says Elon Musk's Biographer About His 'Demon Mode' In Which He's 'Coldly Brutal To People'

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is no stranger to controversy. While some hail him as a genius reshaping industries, others criticize his unpredictable behavior and controversial statements, with many accusing him of fostering divisive ideologies on a daily basis. 

But beyond the headlines, what's it like to work for him? According to his biographer Walter Isaacson and early SpaceX employee Jim Cantrell, Musk is a complex figure whose leadership style can inspire or exhaust, depending on the day.

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Musk's "Demon Mode" is Coldly Brutal but Highly Effective

Isaacson, who spent two years shadowing Musk, highlights a recurring pattern in Musk's leadership – a state he calls "demon mode." This side of Musk emerges unpredictably, often taking the form of cold, calculated and even vicious behavior. 

While "demon mode" pushes projects forward with remarkable results, it leaves a trail of burned-out employees in its wake. Isaacson witnessed this firsthand during a late-night Friday visit to a SpaceX launch site in Texas. Musk, frustrated by a lack of progress, ordered an immediate surge of 100 workers to work round the clock – despite there being no urgent need.

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As Isaacson recounts, “There’s no launches being scheduled and he looks and there’s only two people working at the launchpad and all of a sudden, I see demon mode coming in almost like storm clouds from the Gulf of Mexico.”

He continued, “[Musk] just reams out this guy named Andy who was in charge of the launchpad site and orders a hundred people to come in from different parts of SpaceX from Florida, California so they can all work for 24 hours a day getting this thing done even though there was no need to.”

"Some employees survive, but a whole lot don't," Isaacson explained. Those who stay are typically so aligned with Musk's vision that they're willing to endure his intensity, even if it means burnout.

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A Childhood That Shaped "Demon Mode"

Isaacson's biography goes into Musk's upbringing to uncover the origins of this relentless drive. Musk's childhood in South Africa was marked by supposed bullying and emotional abuse from his father, Errol Musk. His father's volatile behavior left Musk with psychological scars and a tendency to respond to challenges with confrontation. "When in doubt, he punches in the nose," Isaacson says, a trait Musk himself acknowledges.

On the other hand, Elon’s father denied the claims of abusive behavior and said that both he and Elon have an “intense mode,” as does everyone else who is “successful in life.”

This inner turmoil translates into a constant aversion to contentment. Grimes, Musk's former partner and mother of three of his children, told Isaacson that Musk's need for drama drives him to disrupt situations, even when things are running smoothly. It's both a source of his success and a significant flaw.

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The "Good Elon" vs. "Bad Elon"

Jim Cantrell, who worked with Musk during SpaceX's early days, recalls a similar duality. "The good Elon is funny and inspiring," Cantrell said. "The bad Elon would yell at you and he would be frustrated. Nobody was good enough for him; nothing was good enough for him."

Musk's tendency to micromanage and demand results often created tension. For example, Cantrell recounts Musk rejecting his cost estimate for rocket tanks and forcing him to investigate alternative methods. While Musk's approach eventually led to breakthroughs, Cantrell felt disrespected and left the company after less than a year.

Musk's biographer confirms this pattern. Musk's employees often feel unsure of his expectations, with many relying on guesswork. Those who can endure the stress and unpredictability often rise to the occasion, while others burn out or quit.

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Starlink and Musk's Expanding Power

Isaacson also sheds light on Musk's growing influence beyond business. His Starlink satellites played a critical role in Ukraine's defense, providing communication capabilities that Russian forces couldn't hack. However, Musk's decision to limit Starlink's use in Crimea raised questions about his immense geopolitical power. Eventually, Musk handed control of Starlink's military use to the U.S. government, acknowledging that such decisions shouldn't rest solely with him.

“I think he’s very mercurial and he makes intuitive, impulsive decisions,” says Isaacson. “He’s somewhat self-aware but he does have an epic hero complex.”

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