Animated and with a voracious appetite for both provocation and accomplishment, Musk is, quite possibly, crazy like a fox. But at what point do we have to entertain the thought that Musk — or really any CEO — is just a kook?
Now seems as good a time as any to ask. After all, Musk asked the question himself. All around him, too, business leaders are showing similar levels of narcissism, which — at least to an untrained eye — seem certifiable.
There is a fine line, though, between a dream and pure delusion. That is the line that is crossed at the end of every business cycle when narcissistic overreach spells doom. From dot-com to housing, we have the same thing again and again: Views no longer run concurrent with sane notions and start floating out there in the land of silly.
Wall Street has staffed itself with mathematicians. Can psychologists be far behind?
Musk asked if he was insane.
Maybe it’s time for Wall Street to let the pros decide.