Ep 5. Hustle Harder

In this episode of WeCrashed, titled "Hustle Harder," tensions continue to rise as Adam and Rebekah Neumann's leadership style begins to alienate some members of the WeWork community.

The episode opens with an interview with one former WeWork employee, who describes how the company's rapid growth and "cult-like" atmosphere made it easy to get caught up in the excitement of the venture. However, she also notes that Adam and Rebekah's relentless drive to expand WeWork eventually turned into a toxic work environment for many employees.

The episode then cuts to a pivotal meeting between Adam and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. SoftBank had already invested billions of dollars in WeWork, but Adam was seeking even more funding to continue expanding the company. Despite Masayoshi's reservations about WeWork's financials and leadership structure, Adam manages to persuade him to invest billions more in the company.

Back at WeWork headquarters, tensions continue to grow between the Neumanns and other executives at the company. Rebekah's unconventional style of leadership, which included hiring friends and family members for top positions, had already caused some discord among WeWork employees. However, the pressure to continue expanding the company at all costs made it difficult for anyone to speak out against the Neumanns.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that WeWork's financial situation is becoming increasingly dire. The company had burn through billions of dollars in cash and was struggling to turn a profit. Adam continues to push for rapid expansion, but many employees are beginning to question whether that is sustainable in the long run.

One of the key moments in the episode comes when Adam announces a new initiative called WeLive, which would expand WeWork's reach into the residential real estate market. The announcement is met with mixed reactions from employees and investors alike, with some worried that it would stretch WeWork's resources too thing.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the Neumanns scrambling to raise more cash for WeWork while tensions continue to rise within the company. It's clear that the pressure to keep growing WeWork is taking a toll on everyone involved, and the future of the company hangs in the balance.

Overall, "Hustle Harder" is a tense and riveting episode that highlights the toxic culture that existed at WeWork under the Neumanns' leadership. Despite the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the company's rapid growth, it's clear that those at the top were willing to push the company to the brink in order to fulfill their vision.