What 3 Ex-OpenAI execs testified about Sam Altman's management style

May 7, 2026 - 07:27

Three former high-ranking OpenAI executives took the stand this week in the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, offering a candid look at the CEO's management style. Their testimony painted a picture of a leader who often operates in a state of controlled disorder, leaving staff confused and frustrated.

The first witness described Altman's leadership as "chaos," noting that strategic decisions were frequently made on the fly without clear documentation or follow-through. The executive claimed that major product pivots were announced in all-hands meetings with little warning, forcing teams to scramble to align their work. This lack of structure, they argued, created a culture where employees felt they were constantly reacting rather than planning.

A second former executive focused on Altman's communication habits, specifically his tendency to bypass formal channels. According to the testimony, Altman would often give direct instructions to individual engineers or mid-level managers without looping in their supervisors. This approach, the witness said, undermined the chain of command and led to duplicated efforts and conflicting priorities. The witness added that Altman rarely provided written feedback, preferring brief verbal exchanges that were easy to misinterpret.

The third witness highlighted a pattern of "strategic ambiguity." They claimed Altman would deliberately keep project goals vague to maintain flexibility, a tactic that left teams unsure of what success looked like. While this might have allowed for rapid iteration, the executive testified that it also led to burnout, as employees worked long hours trying to meet undefined expectations.

The testimony is part of Musk's lawsuit, which alleges that Altman and OpenAI have strayed from their original nonprofit mission. Altman's legal team has pushed back, arguing that the management style described is typical for a fast-growing startup. The trial continues, with more witnesses expected to testify about the inner workings of the company.