Built to Win at Neora: Unlocking the Power of Personal Philosophy for Success

In this captivating episode of the Built to Win podcast, host Dave Fleming engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Jeff Olson, the founder and CEO of Neora and the bestselling author of The Slight Edge. Olson shares his profound insights on the pivotal role that personal philosophy plays in shaping one’s results and achievements, both within the Neora organization and in life.

Olson begins by emphasizing the critical importance of having a well-defined personal philosophy, asserting, “I do not know how you can be truly successful without really having an awareness of your philosophy.” He draws a distinction between a pre-existing philosophy molded by societal influences and a purposefully crafted personal philosophy that serves as a guiding principle for one’s behavior and decision-making.

Delving deeper into the concept of philosophy, Olson defines it as “a theory or attitude held by a person or an organization that acts as a guiding principle for behavior.” He cautions that if individuals fail to cultivate positive philosophies consciously, they will inevitably be drawn towards negative ones due to the prevailing societal forces. Olson underscores the significance of being the “gateway to the philosophies” that reside within one’s mind, as these philosophies ultimately shape the trajectory of one’s life and the success they achieve at Neora.

The discussion then turns to the profound influence of personal associations on one’s philosophical outlook. Olson asserts that the people with whom one associates can have a significant impact on their philosophical perspective, stating, “You cannot have a positive outlook, a positive philosophy, positive guiding if you’re the five people you associated with the most have a negative one.” He emphasizes the importance of carefully curating one’s social circles to ensure alignment with a positive, success-oriented philosophy.

Olson then shares examples of his philosophies, such as “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do” and “Quit wanting what you don’t want.” He explains how these philosophies have shaped his mindset and decision-making, enabling him to approach challenges and adversity with a proactive and resilient attitude in his role at Neora.

Drawing on his experience as the CEO of Neora, Olson outlines the ten core philosophies that form the foundation of the company’s culture, including “be real,” “embrace and drive change,” and “practice servant leadership.” He underscores the significance of aligning one’s personal philosophies with the organizational philosophies when building a thriving enterprise like Neora.

Olson concludes by encouraging listeners to take an introspective look at their current philosophies and the sources that influence them, whether it be the books they read, the podcasts they listen to, or the people they associate with. He stresses that the path to success at Neora and in life is often a solitary journey but one that can be navigated with the guidance of a solid personal philosophy.

Throughout the conversation, Olson’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of personal philosophy shines through as he shares insights that can help individuals and organizations alike achieve greater success and fulfillment. His compelling narrative serves as a testament to the impact that a well-crafted personal philosophy can have on one’s journey to becoming “Built to Win” at Neora and beyond.