In a captivating exploration of the power of collective synergy, the founders and executives of Neora, a company forged by the strength of unity, shared their extraordinary journey through a crucible of adversity. Through the “Built to Win” podcast hosted by Amber Olson Rourke, they unveiled how their unwavering commitment to working together enabled them to confront unprecedented challenges and emerge victorious.
At the forefront of this remarkable odyssey was Jeff Olson, Neora’s co-founder and CEO, whose profound belief in the power of collective effort fueled the team’s resilience. “Every great human being or every great corporation I’ve ever seen has an identity because a company is a group of people who come together synergistically around a common goal. And they can do more together than they could ever do by themselves,” he shared, underscoring the transformative power of unity and shared purpose.
Deborah Hees, co-founder and CEO of Live Happy, emphasized the profound impact of fostering an environment of trust and transparency, which served as the bedrock of their collective strength. “We work together, we trust each other, we have transparency—not just transparency of vision, which is critical, but transparency of how we interact. We’re real,” she advised, highlighting the significance of cultivating a culture of open communication and authentic relationships.
Dave Fleming, an internationally recognized executive who joined Neora’s leadership team during their battle, offered insights into the decision-making process that led him to embrace this collective endeavor. “If you have those things, then you can take that next step and say, okay, I can align with the pe are taking on whatever challenge we’re facing,” he shared, underscoring the importance of aligning with a moral and cohesive team.
Throughout their seven-year ordeal, the Neora team remained steadfast, drawing strength from their collective unity and unwavering belief in the power of synergy. “We stayed together as a team. We locked arms, but it was thousands and thousands of simple decisions at the moment, to a certain degree insignificant. But the accumulation of more time allowed us to win,” Olson reflected, underscoring the profound impact of collective effort and shared commitment.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of maintaining a united front and fostering a culture of mutual support, even in adversity. “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time around. And often, that’s said in the context of, oh, make sure you’re not spending time with the wrong people. They’ll pull you down. And yes, that is for sure true, but at the same time, you don’t want it just to be those five people, people who aren’t going to pull you down. It’s like, are those five people the kind of people that can lift you?” Olson Rourke shared, highlighting the significance of cultivating a supportive and uplifting network.
As the conversation drew to a close, the anticipation mounted for the upcoming episodes, where the Neora team promised to unveil the details of the extraordinary “Goliath” they conquered and the strategies they employed to emerge victorious. Their remarkable story is an inspiring testament to the power of collective synergy, moral leadership, and a “Built to Win” mindset, motivating others to embrace challenges, foster unity, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination as a cohesive team.
