Uber Leadership Suffers a Shakeup
Rhonda AdamsThis past week Uber cofounder and CEO Travis Kalanick told employees he had decided to take some time off to grieve for his mother, who was killed in a boating accident. In a memo released to the media, Kalanick said, in part:“Tragically losing a loved one has been difficult for me and I need to properly say my goodbyes. It's hard to put a timeline on this -- it may be shorter or longer than we might expect…”This may not have been the story media outlets planned to write, but they had the headline ready to go. This is because Kalanick sent the memo very shortly before walking into a board meeting that was called to discuss investor concerns with the culture at Uber after a string of highly-publicized public relations problems. To help get a handle on the problems before they spun completely out of control, Uber hired former US Attorney General Eric Holder to help them devise an action plan.Many speculated that part of that plan would be to sideline Kalanick for the near future, so the company could determine how to reshape its culture. There was even some talk from inside Uber of increasing board oversight of its troubled leader. Now, that may not be necessary…although it’s not clear if Uber will take any further internal action related to the troubles.But that doesn’t mean the company wasn’t impacted by the investigation and subsequent report. Emil Michael, Uber’s senior VP of business, left the company shortly after the board meeting. Considered Kalanick’s right-hand man and a very prominent executive with the company, Michael’s departure telegraphs more major changes within Uber’s policies and, potentially, the company’s chain of command.Shortly after Michael’s departure was announced, a report surfaced that Uber board member David Bonderman would resign. Bonderman was at the center of the sexual harassment investigation after it was reported he made a sexist remark at a staff meeting.Bonderman’s case, more than anything, highlights the changing nature in business. A culture in which some are finding it difficult to keep their footing. According to most reports, after Uber board member Arianna Huffington said having one woman on a board often leads to more women joining, Bonderman quipped something to the effect of: “…actually, what it shows is that it's much more likely to be more talking…”The leaked audio of that remark led many to say Bonderman was clearly joking, and it’s fair to say a remark like that wouldn’t have even raised eyebrows not that long ago. Regardless, those days are not these days. A quip, regardless of context or intent, can cost a career. Something said in passing in a meeting becomes eternal once it’s online. [author]About the Author: Rhonda Adams is a NY based entrepreneur. [/author]
