Unlikely Leadership Lessons
I flew into Washington National Airport (DCA for us frequent fliers!) recently to teach in the coaching program at Georgetown, tired in that specific end‑of‑day and end-of-travel way and half paying attention as I waited for my Uber. I did notice, however, that my driver – Shakir – had more than 18,000 trips with Uber and a perfect five-star rating.
Eighteen thousand rides. Perfect rating. I found myself wondering who this person would be. What makes someone that prolific and that consistently excellent? What does it take to do that many trips and never be off your game in a way that affects your overall performance?
When Shakir pulled up and we settled in for our short ride, we started chatting, and I mentioned the 18,000 trips. Shakir smiled and said proudly, “And 5 stars.” I told him that was exactly what had caught my attention. “How do you do that?” I asked. “What’s your secret?”
His answer was disarming in its simplicity. He told me that most Uber drivers are already thinking about the next ride – the next fare, the next destination, the next rating. Their bodies may be in the car, but their attention isn’t. “I don’t do that,” he said. Instead, he takes his time. He drives safely. And he stays fully present with the person who’s in the car right now.
That was it. No hacks. No optimization tricks. Just presence.
What struck me immediately was how universal – and transferable – this truth is. We talk about presence all the time in leadership and coaching. We say it’s essential. We say it’s foundational. But hearing it described so plainly, by an Uber driver with 18,000 data points to back it up, landed differently. Presence isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a differentiator. Even – or maybe especially – in places we don’t expect it.
Shakir reminded me that excellence is often far more human than we make it. It’s not about doing more, faster, or chasing what’s next. It’s about being fully where you are. In leadership, in coaching, and yes – even in an Uber at 7 p.m. on a Monday night. The irony is that what feels simplest is often what’s hardest to sustain. And yet, as Shakir so clearly demonstrated, it might be the very thing that sets us apart.
As for my ride with Shakir, we chatted easily about his approach to his work. As we neared my destination – which neither of us were familiar with – he patiently drove down the block and promised not to drop me off before we knew exactly where I needed to go. The restaurant was inconspicuous and it took a minute, but he stayed present and helped me until I was set. Five stars.
What do you think?