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UBER WAS LOSING $3B A YEAR! đŸ€Ż

February 23, 2026 / 02:01

This episode features a conversation with an Uber executive discussing hard work, leadership, and the impact of AI on employment. Key topics include the importance of a strong work ethic, personal experiences from the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and the growth of Uber's financial performance.

The guest shares insights on the relentless work culture at Uber, emphasizing that success comes from hard work rather than just talent. They mention the transformation of Uber from losing money to generating significant cash flow.

Personal anecdotes highlight the guest's childhood in Iran, where they faced danger during the Islamic Revolution, shaping their drive to succeed and make their family proud.

The discussion also touches on the guest's previous role at Expedia, where they significantly increased sales, and the challenges posed by AI in the job market, particularly for drivers and couriers.

Overall, the episode addresses the intersection of hard work, leadership, and the evolving landscape of employment due to technology.

TL;DR

Uber's executive discusses hard work, personal struggles, and AI's impact on jobs.

Episode

2:01
00:00:00
You come to Uber, you're going to work
00:00:01
your ass off. And if you're not
00:00:03
performing, we're going to let you know.
00:00:04
>> But do you ever worry that they might
00:00:05
not be able to deal with the truth?
00:00:07
>> Then they can leave because the most
00:00:09
important skill in life is the skill of
00:00:11
working hard. And when you see the top
00:00:13
athletes, Ronaldo, Michael Jordan, of
00:00:15
course they're talented. But the thing
00:00:17
that's different about them is they work
00:00:20
their asses off. And that's a learned
00:00:22
skill. That's not something you're born
00:00:23
with. You may be smarter, more talented,
00:00:26
etc. But I'm not going to let anyone
00:00:28
outwardly. with that mentality.
00:00:29
>> When you joined Uber, Uber was losing 3
00:00:31
billion per year. Now it generates 8.5
00:00:33
billion in free cash flow every year.
00:00:35
But it seems that you were forged in
00:00:37
such a way that you were going to be
00:00:39
relentless.
00:00:39
>> Yeah. And it really started with being
00:00:41
born in Iran with the Islamic Revolution
00:00:43
in 1978. We were not safe there. And I
00:00:46
remember at one point we had these
00:00:48
revolutionary guards come into the
00:00:49
backyard and bullets went through our
00:00:51
living room. So my family came to the US
00:00:54
to rebuild their lives.
00:00:55
>> You were 8 9 years old.
00:00:57
>> Yeah. And it really destroyed my dad.
00:01:00
Sorry me.
00:01:04
It's tough for me to talk about it.
00:01:08
Second.
00:01:11
All right, let me try again. Seeing that
00:01:13
has put me on a road where I just wanted
00:01:15
to make my family proud. So I studied
00:01:18
bioelect electrical engineering and then
00:01:19
my first job was investment banking and
00:01:21
I got to see the process of big
00:01:23
companies being built and then I had the
00:01:25
opportunity to take over Expedia
00:01:26
>> and in your 12 years as CEO Expedia
00:01:28
sales increased from 2.1 billion to 8.8
00:01:31
8 billion and you were the highest paid
00:01:33
CEO of a US tech company
00:01:34
>> and I left it all behind to get over
00:01:36
>> and I want to get into practical company
00:01:38
building how you would get that company
00:01:39
to work hard and create a culture of
00:01:41
continuous improvement and all that
00:01:43
stuff but there's an alien that's
00:01:44
arrived amongst us which is AI now
00:01:46
driving I think is one of the biggest
00:01:48
employees in the world like as a
00:01:49
profession
00:01:50
>> I mean we've got 9 and a half million
00:01:51
drivers and couriers on our platform
00:01:53
>> those drivers careers that you have will
00:01:55
be out of work being honest about the
00:01:57
situation what do the 9 million people

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 70
    Most emotional
  • 65
    Best overall
  • 60
    Most inspiring
  • 60
    Most heartbreaking

Episode Highlights

  • The Journey to Uber
    Uber was losing $3 billion per year when I joined; now it generates $8.5 billion in cash flow.
    “I was forged in such a way that I was going to be relentless.”
    @ 00m 31s
    February 23, 2026
  • From Revolution to Resilience
    Born in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, my family fled to rebuild our lives in the US.
    “Bullets went through our living room.”
    @ 00m 43s
    February 23, 2026
  • CEO Success Story
    As CEO of Expedia, I grew sales from $2.1 billion to $8.8 billion in 12 years.
    “I left it all behind to get into practical company building.”
    @ 01m 28s
    February 23, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • The most important skill in life is the skill of working hard.
    UBER WAS LOSING $3B A YEAR! đŸ€Ż
  • It's tough for me to talk about it.
    UBER WAS LOSING $3B A YEAR! đŸ€Ż
  • I just wanted to make my family proud.
    UBER WAS LOSING $3B A YEAR! đŸ€Ż

Key Moments

  • Working Hard00:09
  • Overcoming Adversity00:43
  • Family Pride01:13
  • CEO Achievements01:28

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown

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