Elon Musk pointing finger and smirking
Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm said Tesla needs Elon Musk right now.
  • Tesla board chair argues Musk's leadership is needed at the company right now, in a CNBC interview.
  • Musk is the only one who hasn't been paid out for Tesla's "tremendous growth," she said.
  • Musk has already threatened to focus on other projects outside Tesla. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk's controversial pay plan is just a week away from being voted upon.