Grit #201 CEO Lyft, David Risher: The Ride
19 snips
Jul 29, 2024 
David Risher, the CEO of Lyft and founder of nonprofit Worldreader, shares fascinating insights about his unique career journey. He discusses the transition from board member to CEO during a challenging time for Lyft, emphasizing the importance of customer obsession. The conversation touches on his experiences with tech giants like Amazon, and his vision for the future of transportation, including the rise of electric bikes and driverless cars. Risher also reflects on personal growth, family dynamics, and the power of resilience in both personal and professional realms.
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Biked Across The U.S. Young And Restless
- David Risher biked across the United States before business school and treats cycling as his most reliable daily exercise.
- He says that big, impulsive adventures are consistent with his temperament and love of going big.
Bikes Are A Meaningful Growth Channel
- Lyft operates docked bike-share in many major cities and runs platform software for some global systems.
- In New York City they do roughly 160–170k daily rides in summer, showing bikes scale materially.
Valentine's Day Phone Call Changed Course
- Risher got a board call on Valentine's Day asking him to consider running Lyft and initially said no.
- He later reconsidered, got competitive about the interview, and decided to pursue the CEO role.