Is it time for Elon Musk to find a Tim Cook for Tesla?

Elon Musk has his fingers in a lot of pies. He is CEO of automaker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX. He also founded tunnel construction company The Boring Company and co-founded Neuralink, a brain implant startup. Now it looks like Musk will spearhead efforts to make Twitter private and potentially turn it into a "full app" he calls X.

If that sounds like a lot, well, it is. Many observers have questioned whether Musk should step down from one or more of his leadership positions, particularly as CEO of Tesla, because he is running out of time. They may be right. Other observers see signs of founder syndrome, in which founders struggle to delegate, share the limelight, and so on. This could also be the case.

Here's another way to put this question: Is Tesla still in its infancy? Or is it an established company that needs to focus on electric vehicles and distributed renewables? Your answer will likely dictate whether you think Musk should stay or go.

These questions address a challenge that all businesses face at some point in their lives: should they invest resources in exploring new niches or striving to exploit those they already know?< /p>

Many companies try to do both - the so-called ambidextrous organization - so that they can continue to profit from an existing business while exploring new markets. It's hard to achieve, and no matter how hard they try, every leader has tendencies that push them in one direction or another. (That's why it's important for founders to have diverse and empowered lieutenants and boards so they can draw on a range of perspectives and skills.)