Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Would Rather Take the Train

livemint.com:

the future of self-driving cars and shares the most important thing his mentor Barry Diller taught him. What’s the first thing you do after waking up? I sprint to the coffee machine to turn it on. I still haven’t figured out that timer thing, so I physically push the button to get as much coffee as quickly as possible.

I have it with a ton of Cremora, which probably is not good for me but I don’t care, and Splenda, so my coffee is very sweet. It’s almost like a meal. I skip breakfast usually.

How do you get organized for the week ahead? Wake up and check emails first and foremost. We’re a global company, so lots is happening constantly. I’ll check out how Europe is doing.

Usually there’s a report on how the business did over the weekend. Then I’ll also read the news—the Journal, the New York Times and the FT—to get set on what’s going on around the world. What do you look for in a new team member when you’re hiring? What I look for above all is followership.

I want to know who they’ve hired, who they’ve developed, because ultimately, you get exponential benefit, not just based on the individual, but everyone they’ve hired and developed. Earlier this year, you spent time driving for Uber. What are you doing next to improve conditions for drivers? I think it’s more employees using our products and getting in the shoes of a driver.

Anyone who comes to Uber, they’ve used Uber, they’re passionate about the product, but as an eater or rider. I want that same passion and familiarity as a driver, as a courier, as a merchant, because ultimately we are a marketplace and we’re helping over five million people a year earn part-time or full-time. That’s an important responsibility, and we’ve got to take it seriously.