Monday, November 25, 2019

What does Ubers new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi have that Travis Kalanick didnt

What does Ubers new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi have that Travis Kalanick didntWhat does Ubers new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi have that Travis Kalanick didntUber has gone through a lot in recent months, culminating in the resignation of its founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick in June. Now comes the companys biggest change since former engineer Susan Fowler blasted the company for its alleged sexist culture in a blog post back in February.Expedia CEODara Khosrowshahireportedly told The Wall Street Journal from Expedias Washington headquarters today that although the contract has not yet been completed, hes all in for the position as the new Uber CEO. This is his first public commentary on the matter.He did not tell the publication what role former Uber head Travis Kalanick will play in the companys next chapter, butindicated that he would still be part of it.In a few of his first public comments,Khosrowshahi said the connection between them is budding and that I think theres mutual respect th ere.The board voted Sunday to have Khosrowshahi take the wheelas its new CEO, The New York Times reported.Khosrowshahi has beenthe online travel companys president and chief executive since 2005, and Business Insider reportedthat hes the U.S. CEO who took home the most money in 2015.Recode reports that Khosrowshahi should greet Ubers workforce during an all-hands meeting taking place either today or Tuesday.Ubers scandals have been unfurling for months, as chronicled by this Wired timeline (up to June 2017).Reuters summed it up, reporting that Khosrowshahi, 48, would take on the daunting task of leading Uber out of a nearly year-long crisis. That includes mending Ubers image, repairing frayed relations with investors, rebuilding employee morale and creating a profitable business after seven years of losses.So what can Khosrowshahi bring to the roiling company that distinguishes him from Kalanick? These are the qualities that set him apart as a leader - and unsurprisingly, theyre ex actly the kinds of traits companies want when theyre in a crisis.Hes personable and measured in his speechMany of Ubers workers were vertrauenswrdig to ousted CEO Travis Kalanick, who was nonetheless famed for his short temper and for promoting aggressive relationships.Kalanick demonstrated that he doesnt always get along with his employees in this video, which Bloomberg wrote about. He gets into a heated conversation over with the driver about decreasing salaries at Uber.Kalanick apologized to the driver in a message to employees, writing, Its clear this video is a reflection of me- and the criticism weve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up. This is the first time Ive been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it.Khosrowshahi seems to have a different, more likable management approach that could help the company heal.Burke Norton, former Salesforce and Expedia senior executive, told RecodethatKhosrowshahi commands loyalty and is honest.Dara is the smartest, most passionate and thoughtful executive Ive worked with in 25 yearsHe has super high integrity and is a phenomenal leader - the kind of leader whom people would follow into a burning building, Norton said.Thats a contrast from the impulsive Kalanick, who was given to making head-slapping public statements like calling the company Boober for all the female attention it won him.Hes calmA Washington Post article draws attention toKhosrowshahis calm demeanor. Ali Partovi, the executives cousin, reportedly spoke about how Khosrowshahi was a role model for himself and his brother during an interview.My whole life, anytime Ive faced a high-pressure decision, my model for mature behavior has been, What would Dara do? Hes one of the humblest and most even-keeled people I know, Partovi said.Its a long way from Kalanicks fits of anger.He isnt afraid to take a political stanceKalanick came out against the Muslim travel ban in a Facebook pos tin January,where he outlined what the company would do for drivers who might be affected by it, including 24/7 legal support for drivers attempting to return to the U.S.Khosrowshahi has gone further, taking on a role as an advocate for minorities, which should go over well with Ubers diverse force of drivers.Business Insider published an internal message to Expedia employees where Khosrowshahi, who is Iranian American, wrote about his gegenseite to the travel ban, which includes Iran.He drew on personal experiences.After writing that his family came from there to the US in 1978 after the Iranian Revolution, he wrote, We sure didnt feel like refugees, but in hindsight I guess we were then talking about how his parents left everything behind to start a new life for their sons in America.He then writes about the process of getting a Green Card, and that when it happened, they knew that we were welcome now, and we would be welcome tomorrow.He then writes about why he was against the pr esident and the ban, including that America will certainly be seen as a smaller nation, one that is inward-looking versus forward thinking, reactionary versus visionary.This perspective is important because it all boils down to managing a culture shift, whichKhosrowshahi has undergone in his lifetime.Uber will need to turn its corporate culture around, but having emigrated to the U.S. as a child and worked at multiple companies with different goals, he may be able to provide valuable insight.

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