Leadership Styles of Elon Musk and Their Link with Leadership Theories

Running head: MANAGEMENT
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Table of Contents
Leadership styles used by Elon Musk and its link with the various leadership theories...........4
Explaining the various leadership qualities possessed by Elon Musk to contribute to the
success or failure and its link with the leadership theories........................................................5
Ways by which Elon Musk exemplified ethical leadership by demonstrating the advantages
and disadvantages of ethical leadership.....................................................................................6

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Elon Musk and the Success of Big Vision
Leadership styles used by Elon Musk and its link with the various leadership theories
There are multiple styles of leadership used by Elon Musk, though the
transformational leadership style has been the most suitable for creating a bigger vision and
success. Elon Musk has an incredible vision, dedication and perseverance, which has enabled
him to lead by examples and through own drive towards achievement of excellence, gaining
full potential and going beyond the limitations too. The transformational leadership style used
by Elon Musk has enabled him to strive and actualise the vision and mission. Not only does
he transform the businesses, but also he transformed himself. During his childhood days, he
was often bullied and beaten, but in spite of these happenings, he remained strong and
focused on the entrepreneurial objectives by prioritising on the renewable energy, use of
internet and outer space too (Du et al. 2013). At present, he is the CEO of Tesla Motors, CEO
of SpaceX and chairman of SolarCity too. The transformational leadership style used by Elon
Musk has helped him to resolve conflicts and at the same time, became resistant to change
and one such example could be the PayPal function managed by him. He possessed own
vision, which made him dedicate to the designing and proposal of own HyperLoop. His aim
was to provide convenient transportation options for the commuters to move from one place
to another in very less time. Musk has used the leadership style to acquire ideas of employees
and their opinions as well, which supported the decision making process as well as made him
a genius and visionary, who believed in his own vision and refused to get distracted from
obstacles that often hindered his path towards moving in the right direction (Giltinane 2013).
Musk is a proactive learner and his sense of curiosity has held in trying out new things and
look those from a different perspective, which facilitated formation of traits that were
inherited by him, which made him suited to the leadership style more appropriately. The

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behavioural characteristics shared by Musk include self-confidence, extroversion, courage
and having a bold vision as well (Aydin, Sarier and Uysal 2013).
Figure: Transformational leadership theory (Aydin, Sarier and Uysal 2013)
The Trait theory is somewhat similar to the Great Man theory consisting of similar
kinds of features, though inherited, which helped him to become obsessed with the things to
be done. He used to spend every bit of time by committing to the development of ideas and
executing those and even focused on every details to ensure that his high level of
expectations are met effectively. The self-confidence and desire to achieve the performance
and meet the expectations made Elon Musk to remain inclined with the brand with full effort
and pushed beyond limits as well (Yahaya and Ebrahim 2016). The traits possessed by Elon
Musk include self-confidence, extroversion, courage and ambition to do the needful and at
the same time, facilitated the abilities and skills of individuals to become great leaders with a
bigger and more prominent vision and goals to be achieved. Due to the desire to achieve
something new and other traits such as prominent vision and mission statement along with
the goals and objectives, it has become easier for Musk to create a better future and sense of