His recklessness is exactly what got him results. He is basically saying "fuck it lets blow up rockets until it works". And it does end up working because he was able to surround himself with people that are able to integrate teaching from each "failed" launch and improve the product. The day SpaceX swaps a reckless CEO for a careful one is the day they will stop blowing up rockets. It is also the day the competition will start to catch up.