Uber held its first all-staff meeting with its new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, today.
Recode’s own Kara Swisher hid in the Uber rafters (kidding) and live-tweeted the meeting. Here are a few of the things that were said, and what we learned.
1. Former CEO Travis Kalanick was there, and new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi wore an Uber T-shirt.
A special selfie at the end of a very special all hands introducing @dkhos to @Uber employees around the world. He starts on Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/vAPwqUbwu1
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) August 30, 2017
2. Khosrowshahi put on a tough-guy image for the staff.
From @Uber meeting: @dkhos "I will not bullshit you" & "I am a fighter. I'm all in. I will fight with every bone in my body"
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
3. We have a start date! Khosrowshahi will start on Sept. 5.
Btw from @Uber meeting: @dkhos starts next Tuesday. Currently lives in Seattle area btw.
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
4. Khosrowshahi immigrated from Iran when he was 9. Today, he emphasized to Uber’s staff that the experience has shaped him. One big question: Will his experience change Uber’s relationship with the Trump administration, which has tried to put many restrictions on immigrants coming to the U.S.?
From @Uber meeting: in @ariannahuff interview @dara says "experience of my family losing everything shaped me." He immigrated from Iran at 9
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
5. Travis is still front and center at Uber. At least for now. Only time will tell if Khosrowshahi will change the culture that has gotten Uber into so much trouble.
This is a Travis remembrance party. Dara says he wants Uberites not to become average. “Retain the edge that made Uber a force of nature."
— Amir Efrati (@amir) August 30, 2017
6. There was what seemed to be a surprise announcement that Expedia’s current CFO was going to come over to Uber. But that seems to have been a mistake (or at least Uber wasn’t supposed to break that news yet). Maybe Uber should just buy Expedia, if true?
From @sarahwaffle @Expedia on current cfo (per @uber meeting with @ariannahuff &@dkhos: "We have no indication Mark is leaving Expedia."
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
6. The future of Uber is here.
From @Uber meeting: @dkhos says his 4 year old wants to drive for uber. Uh oh. He has 4 kids btw
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
7. The entire meeting went sexist-gaffe-free, and all is well (for now).
The @Uber all hands is done! No sexist jokes! One CFO gaffe! Kombucha shakes for all! @dkhos is paying! @ariannahuff headed to nap pod!
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 30, 2017
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.
