This is the commonly accepted image of Musk, but behind the scenes tell a different tale, he's done a lot of questionable things in order to get where he is. Jobs and Musk are not too different.

I love what Musk is doing, and I think its better for the world, but I think that has a lot to do with his businesses aligning towards those goals rather than the other way around.

Musk saw a hole in the industry and capitalized on it. Half of it was probably because he's passionate about it, but the other half is because its actually a sound capital investment. He was never going to make it in the automotive industry by making gasoline based cars.

In order to achieve what he was trying to do, he needed hardcore Apple-esque fans, willing to go with him to the ends of the earth. Who better than to garner the will of environmentalists? Those zealots will fight tooth and nail for your company if you align with them. They become your PR machine, rebutting every post that puts the slightest negative connotation on you, while posting as if you are basically Jesus.

Both are amazing and smart salesmen, and also quite selfish. They also had an amazing ability to take massive risks and toe the line perfectly to make their ideas a reality. Although at least with Musk, his ideas will (hopefully) result in a more livable atmosphere for future generations.