Leadership Next Lyft CEO David Risher on comebacks, customer obsession and moonlighting as a Lyft driver
Sep 30, 2025
In an engaging conversation, David Risher, CEO of Lyft, shares his unique leadership insights and experiences as a former Amazon and Microsoft executive. He reveals his undercover work as a Lyft driver to better understand customer needs. Risher discusses Lyft's commitment to customer obsession and innovative solutions to enhance driver experiences. Highlighting the company’s financial turnaround, he also touches on the gig economy's future and his ambitious vision for multimodal flying cars, showcasing his blend of pragmatism and creativity.
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Undercover Driving Teaches Empathy
- David Risher drives undercover to learn the rider and driver experience firsthand.
- He asks “How's your day going?” to gauge whether riders want conversation or quiet.
Rider Conversation Spawned Price Lock
- A rider told David that surge pricing caused daily stress and unpredictable costs.
- That conversation led Lyft to build Price Lock for commutes to stabilize fares.
Customer Obsession Drives Profitable Growth
- Risher frames “customer obsession” as the core driver of profitable growth.
- He ties operational fixes for drivers directly to improved rider experience and growth.