Considering Elon an "effective leader" is certainly a take.
If leadership isn't the causal factor then what is the causal factor?
The media reports on him.
Makes him look bad.
Not the media's fault.
It is how a genius can also be a fool
You can claim that all of the success is due to the other execs at those companies, but they are still his choices following his leadership. He has the power to fire any of them so they are clearly doing what he wants.
He may not be a well liked or a good leader. But that is different from effectiveness.
Elon is a highly effective leader, simply because his leadership has effectively carried out its objectives. and that is a categorical truth.