Decoder with Nilay Patel · The Verge

Lyft CEO David Risher on paying drivers more and the shift to robotaxis

November 3, 2025·1 hr 18 min·5 clips
David Risher turned down Lyft's CEO offer on Valentine's Day before competing for the job with a 100-day plan.
Lyft CEO David Risher discusses turning around the company by focusing on customer obsession, competing with Uber, and navigating the shift to autonomous vehicles. He explains his leadership approach, decision-making framework, and how Lyft plans to handle AI disruptions while addressing driver pay concerns.

As heard by us

A candid Lyft CEO interview about turnaround work, Uber pressure, driver pay, and the robotaxi threat.

David Risher comes across as a blunt turnaround CEO with a clear argument for Lyft: it is a service business operating in the physical world, not just a software platform.

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Why you'd press play

A ride-hailing CEO who skips the spin and tells you what actually went wrong at Lyft.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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