When Uber went public in May 2019, the person chosen to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange wasn’t the CEO or a co-founder. It was Austin Geidt, the company’s fourth employee.
Her journey from intern to one of Uber’s most influential executives is a powerful story of ambition, resilience, and personal transformation. Geidt’s rise through the ranks is not just a Silicon Valley success story; it’s a testament to what’s possible with grit, self-awareness, and an unwavering belief in a mission.
This blog post explores the remarkable career of Austin Geidt. We’ll look at her early days at the fledgling startup, her pivotal contributions to its global expansion, and the personal battles she overcame along the way.
Her story offers valuable lessons for anyone navigating their own career, demonstrating that the path to success is rarely a straight line.
An Intern’s Tenacity
In 2010, Austin Geidt came across a few tweets from a new startup looking for an intern. That startup was Uber. With what she later described as a “blank resume,” she was determined to get a foot in the door. She “bugged the team” until they finally gave her a chance.
As employee number four, her initial role was a classic startup hustle. She did whatever needed to be done, from cold-calling potential drivers to handling customer support calls.
Her work ethic was relentless. “I didn’t sleep, I was just constantly trying to prove my relevance,” Geidt recalled. She would arrive before everyone else and stay late, driven by a singular focus:
“I will find a role and a way to be useful to you guys.” This dedication paid off quickly. Geidt didn’t wait for opportunities to be handed to her; she created them.
Carving Her Own Path
Geidt’s proactive approach became her signature. She rapidly advanced from an intern to Community Manager and then Driver Operations Manager. As Uber began to eye expansion, she took the initiative.
“I also didn’t wait for a new role to be created, I just made it,” she explained. “They didn’t even say, ‘Hey, go to Boston.’ I just said, ‘Hey, FYI, I’m going to Boston.'”
This ownership mentality led to her becoming Uber’s Head of Launch. In this role, she built and led a team that was responsible for bringing Uber to new cities across the globe.
She was instrumental in launching markets like Seattle, Boston, and Los Angeles before spearheading Uber’s domestic and international expansion.
Her career continued to evolve with the company’s needs. She served as General Manager in New York City during a period of intense regulatory challenges and later moved to Paris to restructure Uber’s international model.
Eventually, she became the Head of Operations for Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), the company’s self-driving car unit, a position she held until late 2020.
Her journey showcases a career built not on a predefined ladder, but on seizing opportunities and solving the company’s most pressing problems.
A Personal Battle and Newfound Perspective
Behind Austin Geidt’s professional success was a profound personal struggle. At 19, before she joined Uber, she battled drug addiction and entered rehab.
Getting sober was a pivotal moment in her life, one that profoundly shaped her perspective and work ethic long before she stepped into the corporate world.
This experience gave her a unique set of management skills. Rehab taught her the importance of being honest and direct, how to break down overwhelming feelings into small, manageable steps, and the value of humility over self-importance.
This grounding allowed her to navigate the high-pressure environment of a hyper-growth startup with a level head.
“I’m so proud of the work my team has done at Uber and of the work I’ve done at Uber. But it’s not the proudest thing I’ve done, right? I’m more proud of being sober,” she said.
This perspective kept her grounded, even as she became one of the most powerful executives at one of the world’s most valuable startups.
Lessons from Austin Geidt’s Journey
Austin Geidt’s story is filled with powerful insights for professionals at any stage of their career. Her experience highlights several key principles that contributed to her success.
Embrace Honesty and Humility
Geidt credits her time in rehab with teaching her the value of direct communication and humility. In a fast-paced environment, the ability to have honest conversations and admit when you don’t have the answers is a strength, not a weakness. It builds trust and fosters a culture of continuous learning.
Break Down Overwhelming Tasks
The startup world can be chaotic and overwhelming. Geidt learned to turn these feelings into actionable, manageable steps. By focusing on one small task at a time, she could make progress on massive projects, like launching Uber in a new country, without getting paralyzed by the scale of the challenge.
Be Passionate About the Mission
Geidt consistently emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm. When hiring for her teams, she looked for candidates who weren’t just looking for a job, but who were genuinely excited about Uber’s mission.
“I really think enthusiasm for the brand is huge,” she noted. This passion is a powerful motivator that fuels hard work and innovation.
A Legacy of Resilience
Austin Geidt’s journey at Uber is more than just an inspiring career trajectory. It is a story about the power of resilience, the importance of self-awareness, and the impact one person can have when they refuse to be defined by their past.
From a determined intern with a blank resume to a key executive ringing the IPO bell, she embodies the spirit of taking ownership and carving your own path.
Her story serves as a crucial reminder that our proudest accomplishments are often the ones that happen far from the spotlight. For Geidt, achieving sobriety gave her the perspective and strength to thrive in one of the most demanding environments in modern business.
Her legacy at Uber is not just about the cities she launched or the teams she led, but about the powerful example she set for what it means to lead with humility, honesty, and unwavering determination.
Conclusion
Austin Geidt’s story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of personal growth.
From her humble beginnings as an intern to her rise as a pivotal figure at Uber, she demonstrated that success is not just about titles or achievements, but about the character and determination it takes to overcome challenges.
Her legacy continues to inspire countless professionals to push beyond their limits and lead with authenticity, proving that even the most unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
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