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Uber CEO to take leave

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Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#41

Post by burkaman »

dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

> this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade.

Why? Can you not think of any massively successful startups that didn't rely on exploitative grey-area business practices?

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#42

Post by minimaxir »

malandrew wrote: post #33
golbez wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Bro, Hitler built schools too" gimme a break. stop giving people an excuse because they know how to have people build something good. leaders fail when they treat people like shit.

dang, can we ban any account that exercises Godwin's Law? It always lowers the quality of discourse.

Said comments typically get downvoted/flagged already.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#43

Post by Stryder »

dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

TK has the unfortunate habit of leaving a trail of history of screwing his employees, and that shit stinks, and sticks.

You either: Treat your employees well such that they will go to war for you because protecting your interests is as important as protecting themselves and their own interests.

OR

Be the unbendable, spotless and ruthlessly calculating leader raising a horde of mindless robots. You churn them out and turn them over as soon as they're used up, but there's no room for you to be a flawed human being.

Can't have the cake and eat it too. Know thyself, and choose your path.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#44

Post by vkou »

dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

You are not supposed to run a massively successful startup by blatantly breaking every single consumer protection law that gets in the way of your profit margin.

The e-mail by itself isn't the only problem. It's that it's just one line in a list of unethical, illegal or abusive behaviour that's as long as his arm.

Keep in mind - this is also the guy that stole money from the IRS (By funding his previous company with money he was supposed to withhold for employee income taxes... And by not charging taxi/sales taxes on Uber rides in many, many jurisdcitions), from drivers (By dramatically cutting their share of fares - after many of them were locked into long-term leases for their vehicles - leases sold to them by Uber), and who has blatantly lied to the public. (About Uber's background check policies, or the lack thereof. While having the audacity to charge riders a 'background check fee'.)

If running a successful startup requires being a completely terrible corporate citizen, then the valley needs to be burnt to the ground, before it drags the rest of us down with it.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#45

Post by rajathagasthya »

dvt wrote: post #39
exogeny wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He presided over a culture of widespread sexual harassment that has been echoed repeatedly by multiple employees and you don't really understand why he's being criticized? Cool story, bro.

Uber has 12000 employees; 20 were reprimanded for sexual harassment. That's 0.001%

What percentage do you need it to be to acknowledge sexual harassment is a problem in that company?

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#46

Post by drzaiusapelord »

ams6110 wrote: post #23
mothers wrote: post #3

One of his parents died and the other was severely injured, no? Who wouldn't take leave under those circumstances?

Losing a parent is a shock, especially when it happens in an unexpected manner like this, but it's something everyone faces and most people don't take extended leaves from work as a result.

I suspect this forum is mostly teens and twenty somethings. We all lose a parent(s). It happened to me and it'll happen to you. It happens all the time with your coworkers, you just don't notice it. People don't take a year off to 'find themselves' after losing a parent. They suddenly have a funeral to plan (and pay for) and then get back to their jobs. That's life.

Also, if you want to get into boating, don't let an animal onto your boat. This accident happened because the family dog stepped in between mom and dad switching passenger/driver positions.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#47

Post by AndrewKemendo »

dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

ruthless business leader

That's what people don't like. The people who are most vocal don't like the "do anything it takes" approach.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#48

Post by BlackjackCF »

ams6110 wrote: post #40
dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

> There was literally nothing wrong with the email I have worked in tech for 30 years and have never seen anything even approaching the content of that email. It was completely unprofessional in every way.

It's kind of sad that my standard for Uber was so low that after I read the email, I concluded that it was super unprofessional, but at least he made it explicit to not fraternize with someone within your chain of command and to get consent.

But yeah, still gross.

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#49

Post by ronilan »

dvt wrote: post #21

I really don't buy the Travis Kalanik hate. Yeah, Uber started out as your typical SV unicorn (bro warts and all). Yeah, Uber's entire business model can be described as "grey-area" at best and its business practices as sometimes exploitative. But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out. And this follows every rule in the startu…

> But this is exactly how you're supposed to run a massively successful startup in its first decade. This is exactly how FB started out.

"A famous man once paraphrased, 'We create our own role models.'" -- Tony Stank

Re: Uber CEO to take leave

#50

Post by dralley »

dvt wrote: post #39
exogeny wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He presided over a culture of widespread sexual harassment that has been echoed repeatedly by multiple employees and you don't really understand why he's being criticized? Cool story, bro.

Uber has 12000 employees; 20 were reprimanded for sexual harassment. That's 0.001%

20 have been reprimanded so far
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