Ep-01 | Alex and The Unfair Appraisal

During the last few months of his education, Alex opted to gain some customer-facing experience by working as an Uber driver. This would also give him an opportunity to earn a few bucks. Alex was known for being studious but somewhat indolent. He possessed sharp intelligence but struggled with maintaining his belongings, such as a phone with a shattered screen, books with pages in disrepair, and wrinkled clothing. He would often play smart to get his things done rather than always following the right path. Alex started driving and enjoying his work as he maintained good ratings on the Uber App.

One day, a passenger named Maya hopped into his car. She couldn't help but notice the dusty seats and Alex's casual attitude towards safety. As their ride neared its end, Alex humbly asked Maya to give him a five-star rating, explaining that he was struggling financially and a bad rating would hurt his livelihood.

Maya hesitated but decided to grant him the good rating, thinking that she could make a small difference in Alex's life. However, over time, Maya realized that many other riders were probably doing the same, allowing Alex to maintain a decent rating despite his subpar service.

A few weeks later, Maya encountered Alex again. This time, she decided to take a different approach. After their ride, she left a critical review highlighting his areas of improvement and gave him a lower rating. It was a hard decision, but Maya believed in the power of honest feedback to drive change.

Alex received Maya's feedback and rating with a heavy heart. He was initially upset, but then he realized the truth in her words. Maya's honest review hit him hard, making him realize that he couldn't continue providing lackluster service and expect to thrive in the long run.

Determined to turn things around, Alex began cleaning his car regularly, stopped answering calls while driving, and prioritized safety. Slowly but surely, his service improved. He noticed something remarkable happening – the more he focused on delivering a better experience, the higher his ratings soared.

Soon, Alex's car was spotless, and his driving was safe and smooth. His newfound dedication attracted positive feedback from passengers. His efforts to improve had not only earned him higher ratings but also more business.

One day, Alex had the chance to give Maya a ride again. Grateful for her honest feedback that had transformed his service, he thanked her genuinely. "Your honest rating was a wake-up call that changed my approach," he said.

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And so, Alex's story became a testament to the power of true and impactful feedback. Maya's willingness to provide honest criticism had not only benefitted Alex but also the passengers who deserved a better experience. The fable reminds us all that false praise might soothe in the short term, but it's the honest and ruthless truth that drives continuous improvement and success.