The Cult of We: We Work, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion

A Unicorn, according to the definition of venture capitalists, is a startup company with a value of over $1 billion. WeWork was to be the quintessential unicorn, with a valuation at $47 billion. In a period of 10 years, the real estate company emerged from nowhere to be a darling of investment firms and venture capitalists. Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey had started their idea early with Green Desk and made a modest profit leasing office space. However, Neumann’s vision was far more expansive and WeWork was born in 2009. The two entrepreneurs wanted to buy buildings, lease the floors to various businesses, but have a community vibe present throughout. The idea seemed sound, and the initial money arrived via venture capital firms seeing a potential goldmine. However, as time went on, expenses far exceeded revenues, and Neumann’s lust for money and power nearly toppled the firm.

The Cult of We tackles the rise and fall of Adam Neumann and his creation with the flare of rags to riches drama. The cult of personality that blinded Neumann’s employees and backers is portrayed convincingly as one of the key reasons for the company’s dramatic downfall. Authors Brown and Farrell have written a truly fascinating work of Business Non-Fiction.