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Dara Khosrowshahi embodies this type of leadership. He was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1969. At nine, he moved with his family to the United States, seeking refuge from the Iranian Revolution. He attended Brown University to study electrical engineering and then pursued an MBA from the University of California. His journey in the business world began with a position at investment bank Allen & Company. Here, he honed his skills in dealmaking and learned to navigate the complex terrain of the corporate world.
In 2005 as the CEO of Expedia, his strategic leadership played a pivotal role in the company’s exponential growth. During his tenure, he transformed the online travel company into a global powerhouse. He expanded its portfolio by acquiring Travelocity and Orbitz and oversaw the spinoff of TripAdvisor.
In 2017, Dara faced a momentous decision when he decided to leave the highest position at Expedia to become the CEO at Uber. “Expedia was a significant company, but it didn’t concern as many people. I thought I knew what it meant to lead Uber, but the public scrutiny has been a challenge.” At the time, Uber was grappling with numerous challenges, including a corporate culture crisis and regulatory hurdles in multiple countries. Khosrowshahi’s appointment was seen as an opportunity to restore the company’s tarnished image.
In a Wired interview, Dara expressed, “I never want to lose our underdog mentality.” He firmly believes that the team’s motivation grows as they discover more reasons to enhance their performance. He made employee culture and customer safety top priorities. Under his leadership, Uber invested in safety features and introduced new programs to foster a culture of responsibility and accountability. “A lot of the safety features we introduced hurt our growth. We had to make trade-offs. It absolutely slowed us down, but that up-front investment helped us become the most respected transportation brand.”
One of Khosrowshahi’s key strategies for Uber was diversification. Beyond ridesharing, he expanded the company’s portfolio to include food delivery (Uber Eats) and freight transportation services (Uber Freight). “When I joined, Uber Eats was less than 10 percent of the business, an afterthought. Now, it’s 50 percent.” This versatility not only expanded Uber’s reach but also provided a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic when ride-hailing services saw a decline.
Today, around 130 million people visit the Uber platform every month. Dara’s emphasis on employee culture and customer safety, his strategic diversification initiatives, and his persistent commitment to upholding an underdog mentality have not only redefined Uber’s trajectory but have also set a remarkable example for aspiring leaders worldwide. As Dara continues to steer Uber’s evolution, his legacy stands as a testament to the enduring power of innovation and the pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.
Source: www.wired.com www.forbes.com.mx
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