Elon Musk attracts admiration and disdain in equal measure. Best known as the founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and the not-so-boring Boring Companies, not to mention his ownership of X (formerly known as Twitter), Elon’s personality type is rather intriguing.
With a knack for doing the seemingly impossible, Elon Musk isn't your typical entrepreneur. From building recyclable rockets, manufacturing electric cars, and taking people to Mars, Elon is living in a future era.
Did you know that Elon Musk partially inspired the portrayal of Tony Stark in the Iron Man movies? While the original Marvel superhero Iron Man comic character first appeared in 1963, long before Musk became a public figure, the modern cinematic version of Tony Stark has drawn comparisons to Musk.
Both are visionary inventors with grand, out-of-the-box ideas who work tirelessly to turn their ambitious projects into reality. Musk even made a cameo appearance in Iron Man 2 , further solidifying this connection.
But what makes this business magnate tick? What fans his high-octane energy for business risk and confident demeanor?
Apart from his high IQ , we believe his multifaceted personality plays a major role in his success and way of life.
In this article, we’ll explore Elon Musk’s personality traits based on different theories, including the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Enneagram, and the Big 5 Personality Model, to understand better this genius headed for space.
It is important to note that the personality type assignments discussed are based on extensive research, public perception, and interpretations of Musk's statements, not test results. These insights aim to better understand his personality rather than definitive results from formal assessments.
Looking at Elon Musk's Personality from the Outside, What Do We See?
Elon Musk is often viewed as one of the most innovative entrepreneurs of our time, much like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates , and Jeff Bezos. His personality type, frequently discussed in various contexts, provides insights into his unique leadership style and approach to business and technology.
Through the lens of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Musk is often categorized as an INTJ or INTP. These MBTI types reflect his strategic thinking, innovative ideas, and willingness to take risks. As the co-founder and chief engineer of multiple groundbreaking companies like Tesla and SpaceX, Musk exemplifies traits common among the most influential and efficient leaders in the tech industry.
Regarding the Enneagram, there is some debate over Elon Musk's type. While many associate him with Type 5, known as the Investigator, due to his intellectual pursuits and thirst for knowledge, others believe he aligns more closely with Type 8, the Challenger. Type 8 is characterized by a strong will, self-confidence, and a desire to assert control and influence. This general association with both types reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Musk's personality, blending intellectual depth with a powerful drive to lead and innovate.
When we look at his leadership styles, Musk's approach often involves setting high expectations and pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible. This method can sometimes lead to emotional challenges for himself and his team. However, his focused and ambitious nature ensures that his projects stay on track and achieve remarkable success.
Musk's influence on the tech world is undeniable. He is a prime example of how a visionary leader can drive significant change. His ability to imagine a future where space travel is common and sustainable energy is the norm showcases his innovative spirit. This willingness to challenge the status quo and explore new frontiers is a sign of his deep commitment to his ideas and goals.
Despite occasional controversies and criticisms, Musk's leadership has been discussed widely as a blend of intense focus, relentless pursuit of goals, and a keen eye for efficiency. His approach has led to transformative innovations in electric vehicles, space exploration, and beyond.
In summary, Elon Musk’s personality, viewed from the outside, reveals a complex blend of traits that have propelled him to the forefront of technological innovation.
Whether through the lens of the MBTI, Enneagram, and Big Five or simply by observing his behavior and achievements, it is clear that his unique combination of strategic thinking, leadership, and relentless pursuit of ambitious goals sets him apart from other types of leaders in the business world.
Let's look closer at the "Elon Musk personality type."
Elon Musk’s MBTI Personality Type: The Elon Musk INTJ or INTP Debate
As we already mentioned, there is a debate over the question, “What is Elon Musk’s MBTI personality type?” The main debate is whether he is an INTJ or an INTP. Based on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, which features 16 unique personality profiles , many personality experts agree that if he took an MBTI assessment , it would show that Elon Musk’s MBTI type is INTJ.
So do we, and we will explain why!
As an INTJ, the dominant traits in this personality category are Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judging. Based on his accomplishments, Elon Musk has an 'architect's mind,' which is classic of the INTJ personality type.
Let’s break down these cognitive functions and how they translate into Musk’s persona.
(I) Introverted It may seem strange to describe such an outspoken entrepreneur as introverted (which may be why some people think he is an ENTJ ). However, Elon Musk himself has often talked about overcoming shyness to share his thoughts and ideas with the world.
Talking in front of large crowds still gives him some jitters. However, Elon has mastered how to survive in the world as an introvert . He's overcome social anxiety to yield the power he needs to dominate several industries traditionally reserved for introverts.
Technically, as we will discuss when we get to the Big 5, we see the Musk of today as more of an ambivert , but the MBTI doesn't have that option.
(N) Intuition Elon is undoubtedly a deep thinker with a big imagination for future possibilities. He won’t turn down an intellectual challenge and tends to thrive in the untested and untried. He’ll look at facts and figures and apply his analytical skills to read between the lines and how they connect to the big picture.
Having survived non-verbal autism when young, Elon’s intuition is always on high alert. He tends not to verbalize his thoughts (partly because he thinks you can’t catch up) until it all makes sense and he can formulate an action plan.
(T) Thinking For an INTJ personality , attaching emotions and personal bias when making important decisions is a bad idea. As a Te user, Elon would prefer to apply logic and impersonal analysis to ensure his products work as he envisioned. Sometimes, Musk may seem self-absorbed, and it's no surprise that there are claims that he looks down on people in lower ranks. He'll also find it easy to override other people's opinions and ideas, especially if they disagree with him.
(J) Judging You might think that simply coming up with revolutionary ideas is a big enough accomplishment. Not for this INTJ. The need to plan for the implementation matters as well. Elon may create detailed execution plans and deploy a single-minded drive, willpower, and clarity of mind to deliver.
There is some debate, however, over whether Elon Musk is truly a "judging" type or more of a "perceiving" type. Those who argue for INTP point to his flexibility, openness to new information, and spontaneous approach to problem-solving as key characteristics.
INTJs, on the other hand, are typically more structured and decisive, which aligns with Musk’s strategic planning and methodical execution. This ambiguity reflects the complexity of his personality, where both meticulous planning and adaptive thinking play crucial roles in his success.
Role of Elon’s INTJ Personality Type in His Work Think of The Boring Company, a venture he created to build underground loop tunnels that provide fast and uninterrupted travel to your destination. The complexity of creating such an ambitious transportation system across the globe may seem lightyears away to most people.
But in Elon Musk’s mind, it is well thought out and actionable today! And the first commercial loop at the Las Vegas Convention Center is proof.
The INTJ personality type, also known as "The Architect," features highly independent and intuitive thinkers who utilize their creative ingenuity to solve complex problems . This personality takes pride in questioning the status quo, discovering better ways to do things, and has a knack for identifying business opportunities where others don’t.
INTJs like Elon are exceptional people as they only represent 2% of the world population . Other famous people with INTJ personalities include Nikola Tesla , Marie Curie, Bill Gates, and Margaret Thatcher.
Some MBTI types that would work well with Elon include ENTJs like Jeff Bezos and ENFPs like Kanye West due to their common traits and differences that create fascinating companionship.
What is Elon Musk's Enneagram Type?
Let's move on from Elon's MBTI type and discuss Elon's Enneagram personality type.
The Enneagram comprises nine personality types , each with its own traits, motivations, fears, and desires. Analyzing Elon's Enneagram can give us insight into how he relates with others, the motivations behind his actions, and his secrets to success.
While some believe Musk is a Type 5 , we believe his self-confidence, assertiveness, and risk-taking traits point toward a classic Type 8 — The Challenger.
Type 8 Enneagram personalities are known for their leadership, boldness, and affinity to improve inefficiencies, even if it means challenging the authorities in place. Let’s look at certain angles of his personality that align with a Type 8 and why we believe it's the best Enneagram Type assignment for Elon Musk.
Fighting for Justice Elon Musk is an advocate for the masses, especially when it comes to free speech. It’s the main reason he bought Twitter for $44 billion! He’s passionate about fighting for justice and maintaining autonomy. As a champion for free speech, he’s not afraid to speak out against injustice and is bold enough to challenge the status quo on most global matters.
Loves Challenges Entering the automotive market with electric cars showcased Elon Musk's courage, leadership, and self-confidence. Initially, many doubted the feasibility of this goal. However, under his co-founding and guidance as product architect, Tesla successfully initiated mass production of electric vehicles. This move validated his vision and established Tesla as a dominant force in the global EV market.
His ambitious goals, like colonizing Mars and developing a brain-computer interface, show that he is not afraid to take on challenges or get deterred by critics and is determined to leave a legacy.
Direct and Impulsive Type 8s are known for being a bit too direct, domineering, impulsive, and maintaining control. What a befitting personality description for our charismatic Elon Musk.
The Twitter takeover, starting from his impulsive declaration of a takeover at a hefty price of $44 billion, his desire to quit the sale, and his having to borrow part of the funds against his Tesla stocks to complete the sale, points towards Type 8 characteristics.
Elon Musk as a Type 8 with 7 Wing (8w7) If Elon Musk were to take an Enneagram test , we believe that his innate curiosity and desire to discover and make new things work could also suggest that he is a Type 7 — The Enthusiast. In the world of Enneagrams, this is called a wing, and Musk would be considered an Enneagram 8 with a 7 wing.
Elon may not be extroverted, but his desire to keep learning and pushing the boundaries of innovation in engineering, space exploration, and artificial intelligence shows his adventurous side typical of Type 7s .
Based on his hunger for the next new thing, Elon Musk isn’t boring, despite founding The Boring Companies. From his constant jabs at governments, it seems Elon is stressed by rules and limits, which is common with the Enneagram Type 7.
What Are Elon Musk's Big Five Personality Traits?
Lastly, let’s probe his personality using the Big Five Personality Model . It provides five dimensions that can generally explain an individual's behavior, perception of the world, and other aspects of their personality.
Unlike the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, which looks at personality traits as a dichotomy — you are either one thing or the other — the Big 5 looks at traits along a spectrum.
Based on our research, here's how we believe Elon Musk would score if he took a Big 5 personality test .
Openness Vs. Closedness to New Experiences Musk scores highly on the openness scale. He’s curious, creative, and intelligent. He is open to multiple interests and trying out new frontiers, such as space exploration and innovative engineering. As an abstract thinker , you can expect him to come up with ideas that will disrupt the status quo.
Conscientiousness vs. Lack of Direction Elon is known to have a strong work ethic and prefers his teams to follow a system that promotes efficiency to get things done right. He stated before that he had worked 16-hour days for years! We think Musk would have a pretty high conscientiousness score because he certainly seems to know where he is headed!
Extraversion vs. Introversion On this scale, we dare say Musk falls between the introverted and extroverted traits, more so an ambivert rather than an omnivert . He is naturally introverted but has worked on his self-consciousness and communication skills. He'll enjoy an intellectual argument at a party and keep the entire globe interested in his ideas online, but he still values his alone time.
Agreeableness vs. Antagonism Let's just say empathy is not Musk's strongest suit. However, he does tend to show a strong sense of morality and compassion for humankind through his innovations and philanthropy — but probably as part of a bigger picture. Our educated guess is that Musk would likely fall somewhere in the middle on this trait , perhaps leaning more toward that antagonism side.
Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability His strong reactions in interviews and rants on his social media platform X may be a sign that Elon ranks high in negative emotion. He seems to have a lower sense of control over his emotions and stress, especially when a person becomes critical of him. Elon Musk has admitted to having Asperger's, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and some research indicates that people with ASD tend to score higher for neuroticism. For these reasons, it's quite possible that Musk would score a bit higher on the neuroticism side of the scale.
Personality Traits That Make Elon Musk Successful in Business From the extensive Elon Musk personality discussion above, what traits can we connect to his success? We know that to be successful as he is, it takes a lot more than just intelligence .
Here are five traits that standout:
Visionary — Musk focuses on big problems and channels his time and resources to solving them.Strong Work Ethic — Elon matches his effort and persistence with his goals and makes the sacrifices required to succeed.Extremely Decisive — Musk consults experts, gathers relevant information, and applies intuitive thinking to create and implement quick solutions that tend to burn him at times but, at other times, give him a competitive advantage.Extreme Optimism — No other person befits overcoming the "It can't be done club" like Elon Musk. He definitely harnesses the power of positive thinking .Risk-Taker — During his career, Musk has become an early-stage investor in several high-risk ventures and gained significant achievements in return.VIDEO Mind-Blowing Work Ethic: Elon Musk Motivational Video courtesy of Outcast Motivation
Elon Musk Personality Type Verdict Based on the above, we hope you have a deeper appreciation for how Elon’s personality dictates how he does what he does. Elon Musk MBTI leans towards being an INTJ due to his intuitive thinking and ingenuity when solving complex problems.
Also, as an Enneagram 8, Elon shows bold ambition and the need to create solutions that challenge inefficiencies and other aspects associated with this personality. Further, his passion for fun and adventure resonates with the 8w7 subtype.
Looking at his personality based on the Big 5 model, Elon likely scores high on the Openness spectrum due to his hunger for new things. As an ambivert, Elon has stated he struggles with being social (classic introvert) but has learned ways to bring out his extroverted side.
Overall, Elon Musk is a smart and ambitious entrepreneur and a focused visionary who will remain in the books of humanity as the genius who took us to Mars — well, hopefully!
