Reflection time! But adding some tid-bits in here that I hope are valuable and relevant for others...
- The people. Hands down. Before working in tech, I played professional volleyball in Europe. Sports has been a driving force for who I am today. One of the reasons I was able to get to the highest level is I always benchmarked myself to the best and didn’t settle for anything less. This logic is why I chose a job at
Amazon
(specifically
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
) in the first place. A bigger stage, higher stakes, and some of the best and brightest people out there constantly challenging me.
- The flexibility. Not in the sense of “work whenever from wherever” but more so flexibility of thought and interest. AWS has a HIGH hiring bar but once you get in, you really can propose and actually pursue new ideas that you think of (typically on behalf of your customer)...IF you have the determination to write a paper on it first. We’re all builders at heart.
- The impact. Better late then never, but Amazon finally added “success and scale bring broad responsibility” to our leadership principles (LPs). This is a big deal. Even though my experience has been this LP already being a part of our DNA, adding it as a LP makes the culture even more open for us employees to make decisions based on this LP. Also I cannot count all of the times that being at Amazon has helped the nonprofits and communities I serve through my nonprofit
Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP)
.
Why (I think) Amazon kept me...
- Customer obsession. Our first leadership principle (LP). At Amazon we have a peculiar promotion process where if you are meeting the bar of the next level, you then have to write your own promo doc, get feedback from others as to why you should (and shouldn’t!) be promoted, and explain how you are already operating at that next level. Customer obsession has been my rock in terms of LPs over my 5 years of 360 reviews and 2 promotion cycles.
- "Coachability". Being coachable and coaching/leading by example. Having my sports background, I need to know what I’m doing wrong or how to improve. In this day and age, I have noticed in the workforce that giving constructive feedback is being done less than ever before. Our company culture has mechanisms in place that attempt to prevent this. And that bar that needs to be met to be hired at Amazon usually does a good job of evaluating "coachability". If you aren’t coachable, you likely don’t have the curiosity or vulnerability needed to work at Amazon.
- Ability to change. One of the most frustrating things in life can be working very hard for something for a long time that results in failure or needing to then pivot so something new. This happens at Amazon a lot. Like, a lot a lot. And for good reason. Industries are changing and being disrupted faster than ever. If we don't change with them, we will be irrelevant. It takes a certain discipline and grit to stay positive in the is type of environment.
What has been your experience at Amazon (and AWS) or at other companies?
Why have you stayed (or left)?
If you are curious to learn more or just chat about your career experience, DM me!
Growth Leader | Cloud Technology | Partnerships | AABG @ AWS
8moCongrats Joseph!
Youth Program
8moCongratulations on your great SUCCESS🎊
Technology Sales Leader | Strategy & Execution | Driving Revenue Growth
8moLove this! And congrats on your 5-year anniversary, Joseph.
WW Head of Strategy & Business Development @ AWS | Sustainability & Electric Vehicles
8moCongratulations Joseph Smalzer!!!