Based entirely on observations from public sources, I think Elon is first and foremost a superb salesman. Beginning with his move from South Africa, to Canada a

Based entirely on observations from public sources, I think Elon is first and foremost a superb salesman. Beginning with his move from South Africa, to Canada and thence USA is the beginning of his process of incrementally hustling to the next best thing. It is how he parlays his wins from one investment into the next. Far less attention is given to the fact that he must be hiring lots of extremely talented people and motivating them to deliver above average outcomes. As a stereotypical manager of managers he bestows upon himself all the credit in public. Thus further enhancing his reputation. His private life is further proof of his complete disregard for norms and conventions. Elon shows a cavalier disregard of public institutions, e.g. SEC, yet manages to avail his companies to billions in government subsidies.