Friend of Elon Musk Says He's Surrounded by Sycophants and Yes Men

Musk's takeover of the social networking site has been a disaster so far.

The entire operation is in a state of disarray, with employees who either survived a massive round of layoffs or were asked to return to work after being fired desperately trying to understand the situation.

Musk is said to be coming up with new ideas on the fly without telling anyone. Despite declaring that "comedy is now legal" on the site, he implemented a new policy banning users for pretending to others.

It's up to Musk to make sure the rules are followed. He is the official judge, jury, and executioner of the social networking site.

Chris Sacca argued in a thread that he was straight up alone and winging this.

Sacca wrote that the billionaire CEO has no one to answer to.

According to Sacca, Musk is surrounded by people who agree with him even when his ideas are not good.

He wrote that one of the biggest risks of wealth/power is no longer having anyone around you who can push back, give candid feedback, suggest alternatives, or just let you know you're wrong. Intellectual isolation leads to out-of-touch shit.

"I've known him for a while," Sacca said. Musk's success to date is not an accident, according to the person.

Things have gone downhill recently.

The venture capitalist argued that those around him became more sycophantic and opportunist. Agreeing with him is easier and there is more upside.

Sacca said that the company's "core issues just can't be reduced to black and white."

He said that they have very little in common withbatteries and motors and rockets and tunnels and solar panels.

Sacca said that Musk is alone. He's the life of parties and dinners and has a lot of friends. The hard truth is that he is alone at the moment.

That could be a problem with a problem that's more complex.

Sacca said we all need people around us to push back. To say no.

The thread makes an interesting juxtaposition with an anecdote written by Steve Krenzel, who wrote this week about a time he was pushed to develop an unethical project for an advertiser, but complained directly to then- CEO Jack Dorsey, who made sure the project didn't actually go forward.

According to Sacca, someone will have to speak some truth to power and complement his bold and ambitious instincts.

It is more difficult than done. Musk has quashed dissent in the past.

As advertisers pull out in droves, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to turn around the company.

Musk is poking fun at rivals by posting ill-advised and crudememes.

While its commander-in-chief keeps throwing grenades, the walls are starting to come down.

Fired employees are being encouraged to come back by the social networking site.