WeWork's embattled CEO is stepping down

It's tricky.
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 
WeWork's embattled CEO is stepping down
It's like that, Adam. Credit: Kelly Sullivan / Getty Images

WeWork's co-founder Adam Neumann is stepping down as CEO after pressure from the company's board and investors.

The ouster, announced Tuesday, comes after reports of bro-y misbehavior and serious financial concerns.

Earlier this month, a Wall Street Journal story described some of Neumann's escapades, which, to put it lightly, reflected poorly on his ability to lead a company. For instance, at a 2016 meeting, Neumann addressed the decision to fire 7 percent of the company's staff — and then brought out tequila shots and Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC to perform.


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There are other stories, too, like the time Neumann and his friends left a chunk of marijuana in a cereal box on an airplane. Or when he banned meat from the company without consulting anybody first.

Still, the board and investors are probably just as concerned about the company's dip in valuation from $47 billion in January to $15 billion. And, according to the New York Times, they're also worried that Neumann "exercised too much control over the company through special voting shares."

But despite the quick fall, don't shed any tears for Neumann, for like many a CEO before him, he's going to land softly. As he exits, he'll become nonexecutive chairman of We Company, the parent company for WeWork, and he'll get all the money that position brings. Such a pity.

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Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

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