What is it like to work for the richest person in the world? For Saiman Shetty, a former Tesla employee who joined the company in 2016, the experience involved late-night emails, high expectations and a deep sense of purpose instilled by none other than Elon Musk himself. In a recent post on Instagram, Shetty recounted his time at Tesla and shared rare insights into Musk’s leadership style and the transformative impact of his visionary approach to electric vehicles.

Shetty described Musk’s approach as both demanding and inspiring, and attributed Musk’s commitment to sustainability as a driving force for employees. “I joined Tesla when it was Tesla Motors, and there were only a few people. We got hands-on experience and front-row seats to how Elon Musk transformed his company into what it is today,” Shetty shared, highlighting the company’s early days and the rapid pace of development under Musk’s leadership.

Shetty described several leadership lessons he learned from Musk. In one instance, he highlighted Musk’s “no-nonsense attitude,” describing how Musk often sent direct, concise emails to prevent miscommunication. “Most of the time, especially when you’re a boss, you have to cut through the nonsense and talk openly,” Shetty wrote. “Elon addressed everyone directly in his emails, respected everyone’s time and focused on what mattered most.”

Despite Musk’s demanding expectations, Shetty noted how the CEO consistently expressed appreciation for his employees. “During my time at Tesla, Elon did not make any employee feel unappreciated,” Shetty recalled. “I still remember his emails at odd times, expressing gratitude and pride in each of us.”

Beyond Musk’s interpersonal style, Shetty highlighted Musk’s ambitious vision for Tesla and the EV industry as a whole. “The guy worked nonstop and was always striving for more. That passion and ambition makes you a visionary, and Elon was definitely one,” Shetty remarked, recounting how Musk’s drive to push sustainability forward permeated every level of the company.

Shetty, who left Tesla in 2018 to start his own company, Smart Green Card, ended his post with a nod to Musk’s influence: “Love or hate the guy, you have to admit he’s doing something right.”

Shetty’s reflections offer a rare first-hand perspective on working under Musk and highlight the culture of a company that has grown from a niche startup to a major player in the automotive world.

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