Lessons from an Uber driver

These days, I often take an Uber cab to commute to/from work. On one such trip last week, I received some of the most precious insights on work ethics. I thought about them over the weekend and decided to internalize them in my personal & work life. So I thought of sharing them here for the reader's benefit. Since I do not have the driver's consent to share his name etc., let us just call him Mr. Uber.
It was 9:35 PM when I booked my Uber. It is sometimes tough to get a cab at this time since many people are in transit and probably the number of cabs is also lesser during night. I was lucky to be assigned a cab quickly, which seemed to be travelling in opposite direction. Half expecting a cancellation, I called the driver and he said he will be there in 2 minutes. As soon as I entered the car, he asked if I was going back home. Now, I won't go into word for word dialogues, but some lines stuck with me, which I am sharing along with how I intend to apply them for myself -

1. "I guessed you would be going home. I wanted to cancel this ride. But then I thought why delay someone who is just waiting to reach home on a cold night" - Empathy. This was the first sentence he said to me, and it resonated with me straight away. I was not just another ride for him. When he got the booking, he put himself in my shoes. He was not just taking me from point A to B. He knew what difference he was making to my life! I will approach my interactions with the same empathy.
2. "I never fill gas while on a trip. Between trips, if I see a gas station, I tank up no matter how little" - Professionalism. Respecting the time of the people you deal with, through little things that may seem inconsequential, builds up confidence in others. Mr. Uber understood that when he signed up for a ride, the passenger wanted to reach the destination in minimum time possible. His lack of planning should not tax the customer. This was a great eye opener for me to think about how I spent my time and what value my employer or customer got out of it.
3. "There are times when I am very close to meeting my target and earning a bonus. But it also means, I may have to stay on duty for 14-16 hours. So I decide to let it go and go home to sleep instead" - Balance. Mr. Uber works around 12 hours everyday. That is the time he is on the road, waiting or driving. Give or take an hour. He earns upto Rs.3000 a day on a good day. If he completes 48 trips in 4 days, Uber gives him Rs.1450 as a bonus; almost 50% of his 'good day' earnings! But the way the algorithm is built, probably makes the driver wait a lot to get there (as per him). So, on a fourth days, if the qualifying ride on does not come easily, he just logs off, opting for rest instead of the extra buck. He has his priorities in place, something I need to learn from him. 
4. The last one is a dialogue that speaks volumes about Mr. Uber's character and value system. here goes -

Mr U: I knew someone who used to live in this lane. He used to iron clothes for a living. He is a rich man now. He owns businesses in Dubai. His sons run them.

Me: Wow! What did he do to become that rich?!

Mr U: He worked hard.

Me: ...

Have you had any encounters like this? Any life lessons in most unexpected places?


P.S.: I also posted this experience on LinkedIn (here) albeit with a bit of editing. The post here is more free flowing, more me!