Here's the conversation that took place:<p><pre><code> Travis: So we are reducing the number of black cars in the next few months.
Fawzi: It’s good.
Travis: You probably saw some email.
Fawzi: I saw the email [that says] it starts in May. But you’re raising the standards and dropping the prices.
Travis: We’re not dropping the prices on Black.
Fawzi: But in general.
Travis: In general, but we have competitors. Otherwise we’d be out of business.
Fawzi: Competitors? You had the business model in your hands, you could have the prices you want but you choose to buy everybody a ride.
Travis: No, no no. You misunderstand me. We started high-end. We didn’t go low-end because we wanted to. We went low-end because we had to because we’d be out of business.
Fawzi: But people are not trusting you anymore. Do you think people will buy cars anymore? ... I lost $97,000 because of you. I'm bankrupt because of you. You keep changing every day. You keep changing every day.
Travis: Hold on a second. What have I changed about Black?
Fawzi: You changed the whole business! You dropped the prices.
Travis: On Black? Bullshit.
Fawzi: We started with $20.
Travis: You know what, some people don't like to take responsibility for their own shit. They blame everything in their life on somebody else. Good luck!
Fawzi: Good luck to you too, I know that you aren’t going to go far.</code></pre>
I'm a bit unclear what is so negative about this. While there is an argument that a leader should be able to handle criticism without losing his/her temper, he appears to respond to the driver as an equal with whom he profoundly disagrees. He didn't write the man off or act as though he wasn't worth his time, he simply responded in a frustrated manner to an interaction that he clearly was not in the mood for.<p>Does being brusque require a public apology?
> By now I’m sure you’ve seen the video where I treated an Uber driver disrespectfully. To say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement. My job as your leader is to lead…and that starts with behaving in a way that makes us all proud. That is not what I did, and it cannot be explained away.
> It’s clear this video is a reflection of me—and the criticism we’ve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up....<p>I watched the video 3 times, and did not find anything wrong with the CEO's behavior. And don't understand why the CEO should be issuing any apology at all for this video.<p>He was explaining the situation politely. Its when the driver started placing his $97K bankruptcy charge on the CEO - the CEO lost his cool.<p>If the CEO is contemplating changing this polite no-nonsense behavior -investors should be very concerned<p>EDIT: I came across this interesting comment from <i>gpawl</i>, somewhere down this thread<p>>>> It's a good tactic -- blow off all the worse things you do, then apologize for the one time you weren't at fault, people notice and give you sympathy, and start to forget those worse things.
Honestly, most of the conversation is a lot more genuine than most interactions as seen on the internet. Most execs would have shut up and avoided any discussion. I am not saying that I agree with everything, but of all the Uber news, this is the least worrying.
This doesn't excuse the way he talked to the driver either way, but who was factually correct in the conversation?<p><a href="http://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-kalanick-driver-argument" rel="nofollow">http://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-k...</a><p>>Kamel: “But people are not trusting you anymore. Do you think people will buy cars anymore? ... I lost $97,000 because of you. I'm bankrupt because of you. You keep changing every day. You keep changing every day.”<p>>Kalanick: “Hold on a second. What have I changed about Black?”<p>>Kamel: “You changed the whole business! You dropped the prices.”<p>>Kalanick: “On Black? Bullshit.”<p>>Kamel: “We started with $20.”
The driver covertly filmed a passenger during a ride he was being paid for and disclosed the footage to a news organisation. This is extremely unethical IMO. Even if this is the CEO of Uber, it is entirely inappropriate, and he IMO is still entitled to an expectation of privacy equally as you or I would when we are paying for the exclusive private hire of a vehicle.
> This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it.<p>That's bold. I can't remember hearing any recent CEO saying this.<p>Best of luck to Uber and their CEO.
Here is the video for the curious:
<a href="https://youtu.be/gTEDYCkNqns?t=237" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/gTEDYCkNqns?t=237</a><p>To his credit he did actually try to engage with the upset driver - most other executives would just dodge the conversation to avoid looking bad.
It strikes me as a mistake to apologise for something that you shouldn't apologise for.<p>I thought the video was humanising, and if anything, he remained cool in the face of threatening behaviour. Apologising just legitimses the critics, who'll remain critical regardless.
I would like to hear an argument for why Travis should remain as CEO.<p>In my mind there's simply been too many colossal failures as a leader, and while I don't consider this video in particular to be resignation worthy, I feel like it's just another datapoint in a growing dataset showing that he's not mature enough (at 40 no less) to handle his role. A straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. This letter <i>seems</i> sincere, but I was fairly disappointed that there have been no high-level firings or resignations (that I'm aware of) since the Fowler story broke. There's a deep credibility issue here, and the only way I can think of to fix it is if he leaves.<p>So why should he stay?<p>Edit: I'm wrong, Amit Singhal was asked to resign due to not disclosing an alleged sexual harassment offense at Google.<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/technology/uber-sexual-harassment-amit-singhal-resign.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/technology/uber-sexual-ha...</a><p>FTA: A little more than a week after Uber faced stinging accusations that it had ignored female employees’ complaints of sexual harassment, the company dismissed the head of its engineering efforts for failing to disclose a sexual harassment claim from his previous job.
I saw th video and it wasn't that disrepectful if you were a normal person, but since he is the CEO of some mega corp, any slight temperament in a bad way will get you this PR
From the post:<p><pre><code> > It’s clear this video is a reflection of me—and
> the criticism we’ve received is a stark reminder that
> I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.
> This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that
> I need leadership help and I intend to get it.
</code></pre>
I'm no fan of Uber, these past few months lowered my opinion of them, and words are just words, but even still: this is a very unequivocal statement, and very difficult for someone to make so publicly, in the lime light. A good step, I think.<p>And, for what it's worth, the video conversation doesn't seem to bad. I think Travis has more on his mind than just the recent video, but it's safer to pin it on that one thing.
The problem for Travis is now everyone will still believe this is just a reaction to getting bad press, because historically, they have just done that :)
Care to venture a guess that he wouldn't have apologized if the video wasn't made public? Much like the recent sexually abusive culture revelations. Travis continues to do the least he can actually do without doing anything that would actually hurt himself, as resigning and putting a true and tried professional
CEO in charge would - and let's be clear, he just made it clear that he never intends on stepping down.
Kalanick is also a leader in many communities: in Silicon Valley, in the business community, in the U.S., and worldwide.<p>Many respond to such issues with more bluster, with defensiveness, with pressure on the weaker party (who then retracts their claims, blames themselves, forgives the powerful person, etc.), with claims that such behavior is appropriate. Unfortunately this behavior is now seen in world leaders.<p>I think his note is responsible and appropriate. It's good to see.<p>(I'm no Uber fan; I don't use them due to their treatment of their drivers, and their disrespect for and undermining of local legal authority.)
I did not find this video problematic at all. If anything, I am impressed that Kalanick went for a conversation with the driver and on the same level. This could be a cultural difference, but I perceived the driver tone as aggressive and bullying, when Kalanick was eager but civil. I think Kalanick handled the confrontation (which is what this was) pretty well. This fits his style and my perception of him and while he may not be a person I would want to hang out with, this is why Uber is successful with Kalanick as a CEO.
You need to directly link to this because this apology does not actually show up on <a href="https://newsroom.uber.com/" rel="nofollow">https://newsroom.uber.com/</a> . <a href="http://i.imgur.com/9fiFNJx.png" rel="nofollow">http://i.imgur.com/9fiFNJx.png</a>
Wow, from the title I thought this would be in regards to the multiple claims of sexual harassment and a hostile workplace. Have they acknowledged those situations yet?<p>With this video, he got triggered and left. I'm sure he's sorry but I don't see this as anywhere remotely close to the experiences several female engineers have shared. Hopefully his response to them is magnitudes more heartfelt, apologetic and transformative.
It's almost as if many of Uber's problems stem from mistreatment of lower-level employees.. not only on the corporate side, but also by customers against drivers.
I fail to see the issue here.<p>If anything, this whole thing makes me respect Kalanick and Uber more.<p>I watched the video of the driver ambushing Kalanick - and yes, it was clearly an ambush:<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTEDYCkNqns" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTEDYCkNqns</a><p>If anything, he handled himself quite well - especially considering he probably just wanted to go home.<p>Can any of you say you would have handled a tense situation, with somebody abusing you any better?<p>It's all well and good to sit in your chair at home, comfortable - but how many of you had to deal with<p>The fact that he took the time to actually talk with the driver says something. At worst, he said b*llshit at the end, when he's clearly frustrated at what's becoming a rant. The driver obviously just needed to vent.
Reading the conversation they had in the thread here it seemed 50/50 to me. Watching the video completely changed my mind so if you're ITT and making a judgement based on a transcript take a look at the video. The driver is pretty calm and then seems to touch a nerve with Kalanick who gets loud and rude. Also as they're talking over each the transcripts here aren't accurate. The driver is actually quoting figures, not just complaining without evidence.<p>I wish Lyft would expand out of the US. If they did, they'd have my business immediately. As for Uber, with everything over the last few weeks they've lost it.
What's missing from this apology is any statement about what, specifically, he's going to do to change.<p>If you're reading this, Travis, here are some ideas:<p>- Overhaul transparency at Uber because you don't know how to monitor your culture & doing so takes longer to learn than letting in some light<p>- Mindfulness meditation (lots of it)<p>- Become an Uber driver for a month and only live off what you make driving. Do the Undercover Boss thing.<p>- Brain programming (shameless plug: I invented methods for doing this & they double as mindfulness practices)
Don't we remember this?<p><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/uber-executive-reportedly-advocated-smearing-some-journalists-1.2838674" rel="nofollow">http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/uber-executive-reportedly-ad...</a><p>> A senior executive at U.S. ride-sharing company Uber suggested that the company should spend a million dollars to hire a team of opposition researchers to "dig up dirt" on its critics in the media, BuzzFeed reported.
I suspect Uber's board was threatening to fire him. A person like Kalanick makes no apologies unless forced to do so by people even more powerful than him.
Nothing like a mea culpa dragged from you by the threat of impending lawsuits and a truly vicious turn of public opinion. I'm sure that he's utterly sincere, and this is in no way just an empty reaction to external and internal pressures.<p>Seriously.<p>Right?
Uber is a dumpster fire. Whenever I see a black Prius with the Uber sticker on the car cutting through traffic, tailgating cars, rolling right turns, and general assery... it reminds me that moral bankruptcy pervades the whole company culture.<p>Stay away from this company.
Uber needs to stop playing this game. They need to be quite and let the courts/legal system deal with any issues. 99.99% of people don't give a shit about any of this and people have really really short memory.<p>Someone is giving them bad PR advice.
Was there any word on whether Travis banned the driver after that encounter? I heard from employees that, in the early days, he had to be pried away from Twitter due to a propensity for perma-banning those who harshly criticized the company.
The true character of Kalanick is what you see in that video.<p>The apology doesn't mean much.<p>He is giving an impression of accountability when in reality that driver does not need an apology, he needs a viable business model that allows him to make a decent living.
BS plauditory apology.<p>You don't get to call something you said "profound." Others can find it profound, but you can't. It's like a comedian finding themselves funny. It's normally the audience that finds the comedian funny.
This looks to me as if Uber wants to say we are so sensitive to be fair and honest that even for such a minor thing CEO publicly apologizes. Imagine what we do with real problems like sexual harassment in the office.
Putting Travis to the side, nobody cares about the privacy of the two ladies in the video who have been involuntarily dragged into national news? (i assume nobody asked their consent to publish the video)
That is a good apology.<p>We've seen Uber discussed here and not just in context of this incident, but much worse stuff. It would be interesting to see what comes of that...<p>But taken it on its own, this is what apologies should be like and not the "I am so very sorry you all feel this way" type apologies which then usually also proceed to shift blame (circumstances, others, acts of God, bad mood, etc).<p>Now whether he actually feels this way or not or this is just good PR I am not sure. It remains to be seen.
By "ashamed" I assume he really meant "embarrassed". I'm just glad that I'm not a well known figure, because I embarrass myself almost daily.
Please help me understand this.<p>These Uber drivers disrupted the regular cab/taxi business by driving their wages low, and now their complain is their wages are going low?<p>Sorry but that is how capitalism/free market economy in general works.<p>You won't always be on the positive side of the profit.
I ride with Uber drivers who complain to me about their earnings all the time and I just nod graciously and agree with them. (Even though I couldn't care less.) Maybe Uber should hire me as CEO, I'll even give them a discount.
The key question is how many people will stop using Uber based on this video. I for one will still continue using their services. I know Travis is an asshole and I hate Uber, but I hate cabs even more. And I can't depend just on Lyft every time
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTsDqIcpHUc" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTsDqIcpHUc</a> comes to mind. Words are cheap.
The horse left that barn a long time ago.<p>This macho crap pervades the actions, language and demeanour of modern business and notably technology.<p>Time to grow up and take responsibility.
Am I the only one who found the first part of the video more interesting?<p>That guy is full of drugs. No judgement. Just recognizing what drugs looks like.
The problem with SV's propensity for turning twenty-somethings into CXOs is that they are fundamentally <i>NOT</i> mature. Studies have shown that our brains aren't fully mature until we're 25 but it seems to take a long time for the feeling of entitlement you garner before that age to wear off after you've reached the quarter-century mark.<p>I actually do hope he's sincere - I hope he's really going to get help - and I specifically hope that counseling leads him to eliminate the misogyny that we've all read about the last couple days. I'm not holding my breath that any of this will happen. After all, how would it move the valuation forward? Unfortunately I think that the most likely scenario is that he'll become more of a detriment to the company and the investors will "ease him out".