How Lyft’s CEO Got the Company Moving Again

In the winter of 2023, Lyft was facing declining market share and financial pressures. Enter new CEO David Risher, who took the helm amid low morale and limited resources. His challenge: reignite innovation, refocus the culture, and find new ways to stand out in an industry dominated by Uber. Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati joins host Brian Kenny to discuss the case “Lyft 2023: Roads to Growth and Differentiation.” They explore how Risher led during a strategic crossroads, making bold decisions, putting the customer front and center, and shaking loose old habits. Gulati also shares insights from his new book, “How to Be Bold,” illustrating how courage becomes a competitive advantage in times of uncertainty.

You can listen to How Lyft’s CEO Got the Company Moving Again online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

How Lyft’s CEO Got the Company Moving Again is an episode from Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny.

This episode is 26:33 long.

This episode was published on Sep 16, 2025.

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