Worklife with Adam Grant Bonus: The Fall of WeWork's Culture
6 snips
Apr 30, 2020 
David Fano, former Chief Growth Officer of WeWork, sheds light on the company's dramatic rise and fall. He discusses the fine line between charismatic leadership and cult-like culture, revealing how ambitions can lead to collapse. Fano shares personal insights on sustaining company values amidst rapid growth and how a consumer-centric shift impacted employee engagement. Through candid reflections, he emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence in leadership to maintain authentic relationships, especially during crises.
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Community Support
- A WeWork community manager told a story about a member who lost their job.
- The team quickly found him a new job within 48 hours, highlighting WeWork's community aspect.
Emotional Landscape
- The dominant emotion at WeWork was a blend of excitement and exhaustion.
- This mix reflects the high-growth environment and the fulfilling, yet demanding work.
Selling Culture
- WeWork sold "cultural intervention" by creating spaces that fostered cultural change.
- Companies used WeWork as a lever for change, but overemphasized the space's physical impact.