Dara Khosrowshahi Quotes

Powerful Dara Khosrowshahi for Daily Growth

About Dara Khosrowshahi

Dara Khosrowshahi, born on October 20, 1968, in Tehran, Iran, is a prominent business executive and the CEO of ride-hailing giant, Uber Technologies Inc., since 2017. His life and career are marked by significant transitions, resilience, and a deep appreciation for technology's transformative potential. Khosrowshahi emigrated to the United States in 1985 at the age of 16, seeking refuge from the Iran-Iraq War and pursuing academic opportunities. He attended Brown University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1990. His technical background has been instrumental in his success, particularly in his work at Expedia Inc., where he served as CEO for over a decade from 2005 to 2017. Under Khosrowshahi's leadership, Expedia grew exponentially, making it one of the world's largest online travel companies. His tenure was marked by strategic acquisitions and a strong focus on mobile technology, reflecting his understanding of the digital revolution transforming the industry. In 2017, Khosrowshahi took over as Uber's CEO, inheriting a company fraught with controversy and internal strife. He has since focused on stabilizing the business, improving corporate governance, and expanding Uber's presence globally. His leadership style is characterized by openness, pragmatism, and a keen focus on creating long-term value for all stakeholders. Khosrowshahi's life story encapsulates the American dream, embodying resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His influence extends beyond business, serving as an inspiration to immigrants and aspiring leaders worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The future is about change, and I think change is good."

The quote emphasizes an optimistic perspective towards the future, suggesting that change is a natural and beneficial aspect of it. It encourages a mindset that embraces progress and transformation, recognizing their potential to bring positive developments and improvements. Change, in this context, can be seen as a driving force for growth and innovation, fostering adaptability and resilience.

"If you're not willing to take calculated risks, then you'll always be in a job, but you won't have a career or a chance to build something."

This quote by Dara Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks for growth and success in one's career. By saying "calculated risks," he suggests that it is not reckless behavior, but rather strategic moves based on careful analysis and consideration. The idea is that such risks are necessary to move beyond just holding a job and achieve a fulfilling career or the opportunity to build something meaningful. It underscores the understanding that progress often comes from stepping out of one's comfort zone and being willing to face potential failure for the sake of greater possibilities.

"I firmly believe that one of the secrets to success is having an incredible team around you."

The quote emphasizes the importance of a strong, capable team in achieving success. According to Dara Khosrowshahi, having an "incredible team" is one of the key factors contributing to success. This suggests that no individual can single-handedly achieve greatness; instead, it is the collective effort, skills, and synergy of a dedicated and talented team that brings about significant achievements. The quote underscores the value of collaboration, mutual respect, and trust in a work environment for reaching one's goals.

"Innovation is not about coming up with big ideas; it's about the relentless execution of the small ones."

This quote emphasizes that innovation isn't solely about generating groundbreaking or revolutionary ideas, but rather it lies in the consistent and persistent implementation of smaller, incremental improvements. In other words, it's the persistence and dedication to bringing even minor ideas to life that ultimately leads to significant progress and innovation over time.

"The best leaders empower others to make decisions and learn from their mistakes, rather than just telling them what to do."

This quote by Dara Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of delegation and trust in leadership. A great leader empowers their team by giving them the autonomy to make decisions, fostering an environment where individuals can learn from their own mistakes and grow professionally. Instead of dictating every action, a good leader allows their team members to develop problem-solving skills, take ownership of tasks, and ultimately contribute to the success of the organization. This approach not only encourages innovation but also builds stronger, more motivated teams who feel valued and trusted.

Uber is a company that is redefining the transportation industry on a global basis; to be part of that story is something that is interesting and would be a real privilege.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Industry, Part, Redefining, Global

I think I wanted to be a doctor. In Iran, the engineering and medical professions are worshipped. My father very much wanted me to be a doctor. I was certainly eager to please as a young man - as a kid, I should say.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Medical, I Think, Very, Worshipped

Anytime you introduce volatility, it is not good for business and not good for travel.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Business, Anytime, Introduce

Traveloka is the clear online travel leader in Indonesia and is expanding aggressively throughout Southeast Asia.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Leader, Asia, Expanding, Indonesia

Consumers may put off buying a car, but they don't put off buying a vacation.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Car, Buying, May, Vacation

It was a choice between a paint factory in Indianapolis - a management training program to maybe run the paint factory one day - or go to New York City and become an investment banker. It wasn't a very difficult decision.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

City, Maybe, Very, Banker

I think where Trump just has it dead wrong is this is a world of us versus them.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Think, I Think, Trump, Versus

We don't believe in a world of us versus them; we look at the world as all of us together.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Believe, World, Them, Versus

My family owned a bunch of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and other consumer-goods manufacturing plants. We would license Western goods and manufacture them in Iran and distribute them throughout the Middle East.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Pharmaceutical, Other, Iran, Manufacturing

I think from a personal standpoint, maybe I appreciate a little more that there are two sides to every story, and the way that the U.S. is sometimes is viewed outside of the U.S. can be pretty tough, depending on what the U.S.'s actions are.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Sometimes, Maybe, I Think, Standpoint

A CEO of a multinational global company can't say what to do; you've got to plant the flag.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Plant, Flag, Global, Multinational

Alternative accommodations is a $100 billion-plus category.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Alternative, Category

If you don't optimize for the consumer on the Internet, you're dead.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Dead, You, Optimize, Consumer

I think that, in the end, the consumer's going to win on the Internet.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Think, Going, I Think, Consumer

One of the early lessons that I learned in leadership is that it's the leader's job to always go against the flow.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Leader, Always, Learned, Flow

I remember my father taking us to meeting with lawyers, interviews with immigration officers, doing everything he could to get us that treasured Green Card - and the happiness, the sense of relief, when he finally did - we knew that we were welcome now, and we would be welcome tomorrow.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Doing, Lawyers, I Remember, Treasured

Failure can teach you something, and as long as you're moving very, very quickly, you're going to start piling up the wins. Speed gives you the luxury to be able to fail.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Going, Very, Wins, Piling

I started in investment banking at Allen & Company in 1991. It was the go-go days of media mergers, and we were incredibly busy with one deal after another. Unlike typical investment banking groups, even in the midst of merger mania, we didn't have a formal face-time culture - and I felt empowered by that.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Deal, Another, Allen, Go-Go

Rail in Europe is incredibly important as far as a transportation medium.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Important, Far, Incredibly, Transportation

As the perception of the United States as a welcoming place for all changes among travelers globally, the country's tourism market, which is a huge revenue generator for the economy, could get hurt.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

United, United States, Which, Welcoming

When you let travelers vote with their clicks, and you put that at the center of your decision-making, you build the product they want, and ultimately, their business will follow.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Business, Product, Will, Decision-Making

I thought all those channels on cable TV were really cool.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Thought, TV, Were, Channels

There's simply no better company out there doing mobile travel apps with the same level of design sensibility and utility as Mobiata.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Doing, Mobile, Level, Same Level

Taking big risks combined with having a team you believe in and that believes just as much in you as a leader make for long-term wins, even in a game of inches.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Leader, Big, Wins, Just As Much

Having a United States passport has been an incredible asset, and I hope that will continue to be the case.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Been, United States, Having, Case

My family had to flee Iran... the revolution, and we were very, very lucky to come to America and have opportunities presented to us. And that's... one of the things that makes America great.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Lucky, Very, Iran, Presented

It's definitely a problem inside the technology industry - not just gender discrimination. Diversity is an issue within technology, within Expedia.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Gender, Within, Issue, Discrimination

The power of immigration, the power of the American dream, if you think about the American dream, it is the best brand out there.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Think, Immigration, About, Brand

What some Americans don't appreciate is how strong the brand of the American Dream is around the world. I'm an example of how powerful that product is.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Strong, Product, Some, Brand

Companies don't like uncertainty; travelers don't like uncertainty.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Uncertainty, Like, Companies, Travelers

When you go to a voice-based interaction, you can't tell people, 'Ask me this question and structure it in this way.' And if they ask a question, and you have a bad answer, first time, maybe they'll be okay with it. Third time, they're going to say, 'This is a complete waste of time. I'm going away.'

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Bad, Away, Maybe, Structure

Put the right people in the right places, and then you trust them to do the right stuff.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Trust, Places, Them, Right People

We found that travel, especially online travel, has been quite resistant to economic cycles.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Been, Found, Online, Resistant

You have to empower your employees to make their own choices and trust that they will make the right choices.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Trust, Own, Will, Employees

As companies get bigger, they tend to slow down. It's a universal law.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Law, Tend, Companies, Universal

Any time there's significant change, there's going to be some people who embrace the change and others who are against the change.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Embrace, Some, Going, Some People

Chinese consumers don't book hotel rooms that are as expensive as U.S. consumers.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Book, Chinese, Rooms, Consumers

We sure didn't feel like refugees, but in hindsight, I guess we were - my father and mother left everything behind to come here - to be safe and give their boys a chance to rebuild a life.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Behind, Here, Rebuild, Hindsight

There's a lot of distrust of the United States, and I certainly see that. But at the same time, everything that I've seen is that the U.S. is a genuine force for good in the world.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

United States, Certainly, Genuine

I think my background, coming from Iran, which is a great country but is going through its share of troubles, really allows me to appreciate what we have here.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Through, Here, Which, Troubles

My wife and I got married on 12/12/12 in Las Vegas, and she was wearing a Slayer T-shirt. That tells you what kind of woman I'm lucky enough to be with.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Lucky, Las Vegas, Slayer, T-Shirt

As we move over to more of a mobile device-centric world... I think the interaction model with devices is going to be much more voice-based.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Think, Over, Move, Model

My father had to go back to Iran to take care of his father when I was 13 and was detained for six years before returning. My mom was raising three kids without a dad.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Six, Before, Raising, Detained

Desperation sometimes drives innovation.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Innovation, Drives, Desperation

When we grew up, our family and kind of gaggle of cousins would go to the south of France for the summers. And we just had a grand time.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Kind, Summers, South, France

The American dream is you come here, you believe in democracy, you believe in the Constitution, you work hard, you can make it.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Work, Constitution, Here, American Dream

I think a lot of Americans don't appreciate just what an incredible country this is, how lucky they are, how safe they are, how empowered they are.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Think, Lucky, Country, Empowered

It is important to have safe borders, but at the same time, we can't forget what brought us here. This is an immigrant nation.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Here, Borders, Brought, Immigrant

If you get the product and technology right, then the rest usually falls into place.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Rest, Get, Falls, Product

My family emigrated to the U.S. after the Iranian revolution in 1978.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Family, Revolution, After, Iranian

While Expedia is outbound-focused, Wotif is much more about domestic travel.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

More, About, While, Domestic

When you see the sacrifices that your parents make for you, you want to do well for them.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Want, See, Well, Sacrifices

Where people work and their environment is becoming more and more important, especially for millennials.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Work, Environment, Important, Millennials

When I was in my 20s, I learned not only how to work hard but about the importance of focus.

- Dara Khosrowshahi

Work, Work Hard, Learned, Importance

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