The Musk-Trump Clash: The Leadership Lesson Everyone Has Missed

The recent public disagreement between Elon Musk and President Trump has made waves online.  Their clash offers a powerful lesson in leadership—The Art of Being A Subordinate.

The Heart of the Disagreement

At its core, this “dust-up” is about priorities.  President Trump is championing the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a legislative package aimed at making tax cuts permanent, boosting the economy, and strengthening the military and social safety nets. He sees it as a cornerstone for maintaining Republican majorities and ensuring long-term national stability. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, leading the D.O.G.E. initiative, is zeroed in on slashing waste, fraud, and abuse across the government—a bold mission to streamline operations. 

What seems to be lost (or at least under-reported by the media) is that both still share a passion for the country’s success,

Musk’s frustration, aired on X, is about something deeper than personal gripes or the bill being an "abomination." He’s not used to being anyone’s subordinate. For a man who’s always been the decision-maker, this shift—where President Trump holds the final say—marks uncharted territory for him.

A Navy Lesson in Subordination

This dynamic reminds me of how I learned to be a subordinate the hard way. 

I was a US Navy Lieutenant stationed at US Forces, Japan, J5, and was tasked with drafting a command relationships memo for the biennial Keen Edge exercise.  I poured weeks into crafting a 2.5-page "military masterpiece" outlining command relationships.

When I forwarded it up the chain, I thought I might get a medal for my brilliant insight and powerful prose.  When my three-star General slashed it to two bland paragraphs, I was livid—storming around the office, venting LOUDLY to anyone who’d listen.

After about 15 minutes of me spewing lava on anyone nearby, my boss, Lt. Col. Milt McKenna, slapped me with a simple truth: “Once it leaves your desk, it’s not your message anymore. Your job is to give your best advice. After that, it’s out of your hands.”

"The General’s signature is on it, not yours.  Now, your job is to support the decision, not fight it."

What Musk—and All Leaders—Can Learn

I suspect Elon Musk is navigating a similar moment. He’s given his input on D.O.G.E. cuts, but Trump’s broader lens—factoring in elections, economic growth, and state power—prioritizes the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

It’s difficult to accept, if you’re not ready for it. 

Musk’s challenge now is to pivot from advocate to supporter, a shift that’s tough but essential.

As Jeffrey Fox writes in *How to Be CEO*, our job is to make our boss successful—offer your best, fight for it, then execute the decision with full commitment.

This applies to all of us. In any organization, you’ll face decisions you don’t love. The mark of a great leader is giving your all to make them work anyway and forgiving those who are learning — provided they ARE learning.

The Upside of the Clash

One silver lining? This public spat keeps issues like government waste, fraud, and abuse front and center. And, it’s a reminder that healthy debate sharpens focus, and can still lead to unified action.

Your Turn

Have you ever had to support a decision you disagreed with? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? Drop your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve navigated leadership and subordination in your own career.