All through these discussions, Mr. Taylor’s place has remained agency, 4 individuals aware of his pondering stated: Mr. Musk should purchase Twitter on the agreed worth, with out reductions or sweeteners. The conferences with Ms. Fox and Mr. Pichette are often digital and generally at odd hours, because the three dial in from all over the world, an individual aware of the discussions stated. Mr. Taylor strikes rapidly, usually quizzing Twitter’s legal professionals and bankers on their views earlier than making selections, that individual added.
Via a spokeswoman, Mr. Taylor declined to be interviewed.
Co-workers and confidants describe Mr. Taylor because the quiet antidote to the impulsive and norm-shattering Mr. Musk. He’s methodical and deeply skilled in steering advanced enterprise offers, eight individuals who have labored alongside him stated. Whereas not extensively recognized outdoors Silicon Valley, Mr. Taylor helped construct Google Maps and Fb’s “like” button. He joined Twitter’s board in 2016 and have become a co-chief govt of Salesforce in November.
“He’s very systematic, and he doesn’t let emotional stuff transfer him off the plan an excessive amount of,” stated John Lilly, a associate at Greylock Companions who has invested in an organization began by Mr. Taylor.
That has not stopped Mr. Musk from trying to needle Mr. Taylor.
In July, the boys confronted one another at a enterprise convention in Solar Valley, Idaho, a day after Mr. Musk’s legal professionals despatched a letter to Twitter asserting that he deliberate to desert the deal. (Mr. Taylor responded to the letter with a gruff tweet, telling the billionaire to anticipate a lawsuit.)
Onstage, Mr. Musk mocked Twitter’s tally of the inauthentic accounts on its platform, which he has stated is a drastic undercount and has cited as a cause to interrupt off the acquisition. Mr. Musk requested the viewers if any members really believed that spam accounts made up not more than 5 % of Twitter’s customers. Mr. Taylor was seated within the crowd, flanked by Twitter’s chief govt, Parag Agrawal, and its chief monetary officer, Ned Segal.
Mr. Taylor didn’t flinch. “He doesn’t get ruffled,” stated Stewart Butterfield, the chief govt of Slack, who was seated close by and watched Mr. Taylor’s response. “He’s very resolute and undoubtedly believes, as I do, within the deserves of the case.”