Taking control of your career | Ethan Evans (Amazon)

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of invention and how it takes time to express ideas. They also introduce the guest, Ethan Evans, a former vice president at Amazon, and provide an overview of his background and expertise.

Introduction

• Invention doesn't require a lot of time; only two hours once a month is enough.

• Expressing a good idea often takes years.

• The guest, Ethan Evans, has been working on the expression of his newsletter idea for years.

New Section

This section highlights how even big companies like Amazon continue to work on improving their ideas over time.

Continuous Improvement at Amazon

• Amazon's ideas like Prime shipping and Kindle have been around for decades but are still being worked on and improved.

• Having just a few good ideas can make someone highly regarded in terms of innovation.

New Section

This section introduces Ethan Evans and provides an overview of his experience at Amazon as well as his current focus on executive coaching and course creation.

Introduction to Ethan Evans

• Ethan Evans is a former vice president at Amazon with 15 years of experience.

• He helped invent and run various projects such as Prime video, the Amazon app store, Prime gaming, Twitch Commerce, etc.

• Currently, he focuses on executive coaching and running courses to help people advance in their careers and build leadership skills.

New Section

In this section, the speaker mentions that Ethan will share a story about failing on an important project for Jeff Bezos. They also discuss the "magic loop" concept that can help individuals get promoted in their careers.

Story of Failure and the Magic Loop

• Ethan shares a story about failing on an important project for Jeff Bezos and the lessons he learned from that experience.

• The "magic loop" is a simple idea that can help individuals get promoted and advance in their careers.

• The conversation will cover career advice, standing out in interviews, important leadership principles at Amazon, and more.

New Section

This section briefly mentions the sponsors of the podcast before continuing with the interview.

Sponsors Introduction

• The speaker introduces two products called Sidebar and Sprig as sponsors of the podcast.

New Section

In this section, Lenny welcomes Ethan to the podcast and they discuss the popularity of Ethan's guest post about the magic loop. They also talk about what the magic loop entails.

Introduction to Ethan and Discussion on Magic Loop

• Lenny thanks Ethan for being on the podcast.

• They discuss how Ethan's guest post about the magic loop became one of the most popular posts on Lenny's newsletter.

• The magic loop is a five-step process that helps individuals grow their careers even in challenging situations.

• The first step is doing your current job well, followed by seeking feedback, taking action on feedback, building relationships, and repeating the process.

New Section

This section provides a detailed explanation of each step in the magic loop.

Steps of Magic Loop

1. Do your current job well:

• Performing at a solid level is essential for career growth.

• Avoid having your boss wishing you were different or better.

2. Seek feedback:

• Actively seek feedback from colleagues, managers, or mentors.

• Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve.

3. Take action on feedback:

• Act upon the feedback received and make necessary improvements.

• Show your willingness to learn and grow.

4. Build relationships:

• Cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and leaders.

• Networking and building connections can open up new opportunities.

5. Repeat the process:

• Continuously repeat the magic loop to consistently grow in your career.

• Each iteration helps you improve and progress further.

The remaining sections of the transcript were not provided.

Building a Relationship and Helping Out

This section discusses the importance of building a relationship with your manager and being willing to help out, even if it's not your favorite work.

Building a Relationship

• Building a relationship with your manager sets you apart and creates a sense of teamwork.

• Show that you are part of the organization and are there to make both yourself and the organization successful.

Helping Out

• When someone asks for help, do what they ask, even if it's not your preferred task.

• By helping out, you build trust and show that you are a team player.

• This step is important in establishing rapport with your manager.

Linking Your Goals

• After helping out, approach your manager and express your enjoyment in working together.

• Ask if there is any way you can help them that would also align with reaching your own goals.

• This step allows for mutual benefit and helps create opportunities for growth.

The Magic Loop: Repeating the Process

This section explains how the "Magic Loop" works by repeating the process of building relationships, helping out, and linking goals.

The Magic Loop

• The "Magic Loop" refers to the process of continuously building relationships, helping out, and linking goals with your manager.

• It is called "magic" because it has proven to be effective in various circumstances.

Repeating Steps 1 to 4

1. Build a relationship with your manager.

2. Help out by doing what they ask, even if it's not your favorite work.

3. Link your goals by finding ways to help them while also advancing towards achieving your own objectives.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 consistently over time.

Benefits of the Magic Loop

This section highlights the benefits of implementing the Magic Loop in your career.

Advancing in Your Career

• The Magic Loop helps you advance in your career by forming a partnership with your manager.

• It allows you to communicate your goals and work together towards achieving them.

• This approach can lead to promotions, skill development, role changes, or increased compensation.

Addressing Unhappiness and Boredom

• Many people are unhappy with their jobs or feel bored.

• The Magic Loop provides a path for satisfaction by actively engaging with your manager and seeking opportunities for growth and change.

Overcoming Manager Limitations

This section addresses the limitations of managers and how the Magic Loop empowers individuals to take control of their own career development.

Manager Limitations

• Not all managers are good at noticing employee contributions or planning for their careers.

• Some managers may be too busy or have different priorities.

• Good intentions don't always translate into effective support from managers.

Taking Control

• The Magic Loop puts you in control of your own situation.

• Instead of relying solely on your manager, you proactively engage in building relationships and pursuing opportunities for growth.

Initiating the Magic Loop as a Manager

This section discusses how managers can initiate the Magic Loop with their employees to foster growth and success.

Forming Partnerships

• Managers can initiate the Magic Loop by discussing employees' career goals and offering support.

• By forming partnerships, managers can help employees step up to new challenges while also helping them reach their goals.

Success Stories

• The Magic Loop has been successful in both entry-level positions and higher-level roles.

• Employees who experienced growth and success through this approach became more invested in their work and team.

Due to limitations on bullet points per section, some details from the transcript may not be included in the summary.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses examples of career progression and growth, highlighting the importance of proactive engagement with managers and building trust.

Examples of Career Progression

• The speaker shares two examples:

• One individual who experienced redundancy (layoff) in the UK but was able to secure new jobs with increased salaries and promotions.

• Another person who started as a mid-level engineer at Amazon, progressed to senior management roles, opened a new office, and eventually became an executive vice president at a major online bank. This progression took place over eight years.

Applicability of Magic Loop

• The magic loop approach can be applied at various stages of one's career.

• It is useful from the start of one's career until reaching higher levels such as VP.

• At higher levels, the approach becomes more implicit rather than explicitly asking for help or suggestions.

Advancement in Responsibilities

• As one progresses in their career, they are expected to step up and recognize challenges without explicit conversations about how to help.

• Managers expect individuals to anticipate needs and suggest solutions rather than constantly seeking guidance.

Importance and Effectiveness of Magic Loop

• Managers often feel overwhelmed and appreciate when employees offer assistance.

• Building alliances with managers alleviates some of their burdens.

• The magic loop leverages social engineering by fostering reciprocal relationships based on mutual support.

• Many manager-employee relationships tend to be oppositional, but adopting the magic loop approach can shift this dynamic towards collaboration and growth-oriented mindsets.

Summary of Magic Loop Steps

1. Perform current job well before seeking additional responsibilities or help from managers. Doing a good job is subjective based on your manager's perspective.

2. Ask your manager how you can help and fulfill their requests.

3. After completing the assigned tasks, suggest or ask for additional responsibilities that align with your goals.

4. Find ways to bring together your manager's needs and your own goals, working collaboratively towards mutual success.

Identifying Gaps for Career Progression

This section discusses the importance of identifying gaps in skills and performance to progress in one's career. It emphasizes the need for clear communication between employees and managers regarding career goals and areas for improvement.

Identifying gaps and vague feedback

• Employees often face vague feedback during performance reviews, where managers point out areas of improvement without prior communication.

• Lack of clarity on what is needed to reach the next level can hinder career progression.

Importance of sharing career goals with managers

• Managers may assume that employees are content with their current roles or have similar aspirations as themselves.

• Expressing career goals helps managers understand employee ambitions and provide guidance accordingly.

The role of the "Magic Loop"

• The "Magic Loop" is a tool used to communicate career goals and work towards achieving them.

• It involves clarifying what one wants, discussing how to get there, and creating a role that aligns with personal interests and adds value to the organization.

Not everyone seeks promotion

• Some individuals may be satisfied with their current roles and not aspire for promotions.

• The "Magic Loop" can still be helpful in such cases by allowing individuals to explore different projects or functions within the organization.

Breaking Through Career Plateaus

This section addresses the frustration experienced by senior managers who find themselves stuck at a certain level without upward mobility. It explores reasons behind this stagnation and provides advice on how to overcome it.

Reasons for getting stuck at a certain level

• Limited availability of higher-level positions due to organizational structure or economic factors.

• Rapid growth in some companies may create more opportunities, but it still depends on the need for specific roles at higher levels.

Transition from senior manager to director

• Moving from a senior manager to a director role requires a shift in leadership style and focus.

• Directors need to emphasize influence, coordination, and strategic thinking rather than solely focusing on functional expertise.

The book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There"

• The book by Marshall Goldsmith highlights the need for developing new skills and behaviors to progress to the next level.

• Traits that led to success at one level may not be sufficient for higher-level roles that require more strategic thinking.

Taking control of career progression

• While patience is required when waiting for opportunities, individuals can actively practice Next Level skills.

• Collaborating with leadership, taking on strategic projects, and demonstrating inventiveness can help break through career plateaus.

Waiting vs. Taking Action

This section addresses the question of whether individuals should wait for opportunities or take proactive steps to advance their careers. It emphasizes the importance of patience while also highlighting actions individuals can take to enhance their chances of progression.

Balancing patience and action

• Advancement opportunities may depend on organizational needs and availability of higher-level positions.

• Some level of patience is required when waiting for suitable roles to open up.

Two components of promotions

• Promotions involve two components: qualifications for the job and availability of a position that requires those qualifications.

Taking control of career progression

• While waiting, individuals can actively develop Next Level skills and seek guidance from leadership.

• Engaging in strategic projects and showcasing inventiveness can increase visibility and create opportunities for advancement.

Ways to Move Up in Your Career

The speaker discusses various ways to advance in one's career, including being chosen for promotion, taking on additional responsibilities, and being proactive.

Strategies for Advancement

• Being chosen: There are several ways to move up in your career. One way is by being chosen for promotion or a new role.

• Taking on more responsibilities: Another way is by taking on additional responsibilities when opportunities arise, such as when a boss leaves or is let go.

• Coaching and development: The speaker mentions coaching clients who have been given more responsibilities after their peers were let go. This highlights the importance of being prepared and ready to step up when needed.

• Lean environments: In lean environments with organizational changes and layoffs, it may be harder to find advancement opportunities due to fewer available positions.

• Prove yourself before promotion: It is important to demonstrate your capabilities and skills before expecting a promotion. Doing the job well before officially having the position can increase your chances of being considered for advancement.

Embracing Inventiveness as a Leader

The speaker discusses the concept of inventiveness as a leader and shares insights from Jeff Bezos' approach at Amazon.

Being an Inventive Leader

• Influence from Jeff Bezos: The speaker mentions that Jeff Bezos described himself primarily as an inventor. This idea of being an inventor has influenced the speaker's perspective on leadership.

• Creating an inventive company: Amazon aimed to become the most inventive company, systematically out-inventing others in their industry.

• Leadership principles: Amazon's leadership principles, such as thinking big and simplifying, encouraged inventiveness among employees.

• Becoming systematically inventive: The speaker shares that they initially didn't consider themselves an inventor but learned how to become systematically inventive. They hold over 70 patents from their time at Amazon.

• Expertise and dedicated thinking: To invent systematically, it is important to have expertise in the area you want to invent. Additionally, dedicating time for focused thinking on the problem at hand can lead to inventive solutions.

• Combining existing ideas: Inventiveness often involves combining existing ideas or concepts rather than creating something entirely new. The speaker gives an example of a patent they hold for a drone delivery system that was inspired by military history and the concept of an aircraft carrier.

Innovative Ideas for Drone Delivery

The speaker shares their inventive idea for drone delivery using a truck as a mobile base for drones.

Truck-Based Drone Delivery

• Idea inspiration: The speaker's idea for truck-based drone delivery was inspired by military history and the concept of an aircraft carrier.

• Efficient neighborhood coverage: Instead of having drones fly directly from a warehouse, a truck with no top drives slowly around the neighborhood while drones go back and forth between the truck and delivery locations.

• Increased efficiency: This approach allows multiple drones to cover different areas simultaneously, reducing delivery time and increasing efficiency.

• Potential applications: The speaker mentions that this idea could also be applied to returns, where customers can place their returns on their porch or in a designated spot, and the drone can pick them up for return.

These are just selected sections from the transcript.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the misconception that invention requires a significant amount of time and emphasizes the importance of optimizing and improving ideas over time.

The Time Required for Invention

• The speaker mentions that people often believe invention requires a lot of time, but in reality, dedicating two hours once a month can be sufficient.

• It is highlighted that once a good idea is formed, it may take years to fully express and develop it.

Examples of Ongoing Innovation

• The speaker mentions Jeff Bezos and his company Amazon as examples. They had ideas like Prime shipping and Kindle, which have been continuously improved upon over the years.

• Elon Musk's Tesla is also mentioned as an example of incremental innovation. While he keeps inventing new things, it is not necessary to have numerous inventions to be considered an innovative person.

Importance of Optimization

• Jeff Bezos shared on a podcast that most of his innovation comes from the optimization phase rather than generating new ideas.

• The speaker agrees with this perspective, stating that making an idea scalable and cost-effective is where much of the hard work lies in successful invention.

New Section

In this section, the focus shifts to discussing how Amazon's Prime program exemplifies incremental optimization in action.

Evolution of Amazon Prime

• Initially, Amazon Prime started as a program offering fast free shipping.

• Over time, it expanded to include additional benefits such as Prime video, music, gaming, free photo storage, and more.

• The continuous addition of features demonstrates how incremental optimization has made Prime better over time.

Making Prime Irresistible

• Jeff Bezos aimed to make Prime a "no-brainer" for customers by constantly improving its offerings.

• The goal was for people to feel irresponsible if they were not Prime members due to the extensive benefits and value it provides.

New Section

In this section, the speaker shares insights on standing out as a candidate during job interviews and offers advice for making a strong impression.

Factors in Job Interviews

• Appearance and enthusiasm are identified as the top two factors that influence interview outcomes.

• It is important to present oneself professionally and show genuine interest in the job opportunity.

Demonstrating Enthusiasm

• Being enthusiastic about working with the company is crucial. Expressing judgment or skepticism during an interview can be off-putting.

• Even if one decides they don't want the job, it's still valuable to leave a positive impression by demonstrating enthusiasm.

Highlighting Impact

• Many candidates focus on what they have done without emphasizing why it mattered.

• Employers are looking for individuals who have made a difference and had an impact in their previous roles.

• Showing how one's actions have positively influenced past employers or solved significant problems is essential.

New Section

This section explores additional considerations for virtual interviews conducted over platforms like Zoom.

Full-Time Dedication

• It is advised to avoid taking interviews from distracting environments such as cars.

• Maintaining eye contact, body language, and gestures through the camera helps create a professional presence.

Projecting Enthusiasm Virtually

• Despite being remote, it is important to project excitement and appreciation for the opportunity through video conferencing tools.

• Being fully engaged, energetic, and present during virtual interviews can make a significant impact on how one comes across.

Conclusion

In this transcript, several key points are discussed regarding invention, innovation, job interviews, and virtual interviewing. The importance of optimizing ideas over time rather than constantly generating new ones is emphasized. Examples from Amazon and Tesla demonstrate the value of incremental optimization. During job interviews, appearance, enthusiasm, and highlighting impact are crucial for standing out as a candidate. Additionally, projecting professionalism and enthusiasm in virtual interviews can make a significant difference in how one is perceived.

Failure Corner: Surviving a Product Launch Failure

In this section, the speaker shares a personal story about a product launch failure at Amazon and how they managed to overcome it.

Failing the Jeff Bezos Test

• The speaker had been at Amazon for six years and was responsible for launching Amazon's App Store.

• On launch day, Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, wanted to see the letter introducing the new product.

• However, there were technical issues with the app store's database that caused delays in launching.

• Jeff Bezos became frustrated and angry, copying in other executives into the conversation.

Dealing with the Crisis

• The speaker took ownership of the problem and proactively updated Jeff Bezos on their progress.

• Despite losing trust initially, Jeff agreed to a plan and gave them one hour to fix the issue.

• Other leaders within Amazon reached out to offer support and assistance.

• Principal Engineers from AWS joined in to help resolve the database problem by providing additional resources.

Fixing the Problem

• With support from AWS, they fixed the database issue throughout the day.

• However, due to delayed launch timing, Jeff Bezos had lost trust in their team.

• He continued testing and found another problem over the weekend but was promptly informed about it.

Meeting with Jeff Bezos

• In a subsequent meeting unrelated to the product launch failure, they discussed building a competing browser called Silk.

Lessons Learned from Overcoming Failure

In this section, the speaker reflects on lessons learned from overcoming failure during a product launch at Amazon.

Taking Ownership and Communication

• Taking ownership of mistakes is crucial when facing failure.

• Proactive communication with stakeholders helps regain trust and keeps them informed about progress.

Leveraging Support Networks

• Having support networks within an organization can be invaluable during challenging times.

• In this case, leaders within Amazon reached out to offer assistance and resources.

Learning from Mistakes

• Identifying mistakes made during the failure is essential for growth and improvement.

• The speaker acknowledges the fundamental mistakes they made in their database usage.

Building Trust Again

• Rebuilding trust after a failure takes time and consistent effort.

• By delivering on promises and keeping stakeholders informed, trust can gradually be regained.

The Silk Browser Project

In this section, the speaker briefly mentions their involvement in a project to build a competing browser called Silk at Amazon.

Exploring a Competing Browser

• The speaker was part of a small group tasked with exploring the development of a competing browser called Silk at Amazon.

Overcoming Challenges and Rebuilding Trust with the CEO

In this section, the speaker shares a personal experience of facing a challenging situation with the CEO and how they managed to rebuild trust.

Facing the CEO

• The speaker initially considered skipping a meeting with an angry CEO but realized that avoiding it would have negative consequences.

• They decided to attend the meeting early and sat next to the CEO's chair, showing their willingness to face the situation.

• During the meeting, it seemed like the CEO was ignoring them, but they realized it might be their own projection.

• At the end of the meeting, when everyone was leaving, the CEO turned to them and asked how they were doing.

Rebuilding Trust

• The speaker had a genuine conversation with the CEO where they acknowledged their mistake and discussed future plans.

• Despite believing that the CEO hadn't forgotten about their failure, it was clear that he had forgiven them.

• The speaker emphasizes that instead of responding with anger or flaming emails, choosing to say something nice helped rebuild their relationship.

• Eventually, two years later, they were promoted to vice president after reearning trust through improved performance.

Lessons Learned from Overcoming Failure

In this section, the speaker reflects on lessons learned from their experience of overcoming failure and offers advice for others in similar situations.

Admitting Mistakes and Prioritizing Communication

• One important lesson is admitting mistakes rather than deflecting blame or trying to downplay them.

• The speaker highlights prioritizing tasks and effectively communicating priorities as crucial during crisis situations.

• Regular updates help reassure others that you are actively working on resolving issues.

Meeting in Person and Managing Anger

• It is beneficial to meet people in person when dealing with difficult situations, as it is harder to be angry or flame someone face-to-face.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of managing anger and choosing to say something nice instead of ranting or being confrontational.

Working Hard and Fast

• When facing a mistake, it is essential to work hard and fast to fix the problem.

• The speaker's team worked tirelessly, even through weekends, to recover from their failure.

• Taking ownership and going above and beyond expectations demonstrates commitment and dedication.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• The speaker shares their experience of initially struggling with imposter syndrome and fearing that one big mistake would lead to failure.

• They emphasize the importance of not letting fear hold you back and believing in your abilities despite making mistakes.

Perseverance in the Face of Failure

In this section, the speaker discusses how they persevered despite a major mistake and offers insights on resilience.

Not Giving Up

• Many people in the speaker's position might have quit after such a significant failure, but they chose not to let shame define them.

• They acknowledged their mistake but believed in themselves as good workers who could learn from their failures.

Leadership Recognition

• The speaker shares an anecdote about Jeff Wilke, Jeff Bezos' number two person at that time, recognizing their boss's excellent leadership during the crisis situation.

• Jeff Wilke wanted to talk directly with the speaker rather than going through their boss, acknowledging their efforts.

Continuing Growth

• Despite facing criticism from Jeff Wilke later on, the speaker remained determined to learn from their mistakes and scheduled a meeting with him.

• They recognized that growth comes from embracing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them.

These sections provide insights into overcoming challenges, rebuilding trust after failure, learning from mistakes, managing difficult situations effectively, and persevering in the face of adversity.

The Importance of Prioritizing Reputation

In this section, the speaker discusses a conversation they had with someone about prioritizing dates over reputation.

Prioritizing Date vs. Reputation

• The speaker believed that shooting for the date was more important than perfect certainty.

• However, they were told that prioritizing date over reputation was a mistake and that they let Amazon down in public.

• The speaker reflects on the importance of recognizing when one is gambling and the consequences it may have on their position within the company.

Evaluating Performance and Bullheadedness

This section focuses on how the speaker's performance was evaluated and their realization about their own bullheadedness.

Evaluation and Bullheadedness

• Despite being aware that their job was at stake, the speaker initially underestimated the evaluation process during a meeting.

• They reflect on their stubbornness in not living in shame about making mistakes, as everyone makes them.

• The speaker mentions Jeff Bezos' involvement with Fire Phone as an example of a mistake that became synonymous with his name.

Learning from Mistakes and Lessons Learned

Here, the speaker emphasizes learning from mistakes and shares lessons they took away from their experience.

Learning from Mistakes

• The speaker highlights the importance of not dwelling in shame after making a mistake but rather using it as an opportunity to grow.

• They discuss how mistakes can make individuals feel dead in the water, but it's crucial to remember that everyone makes them.

• The example of Fire Phone is mentioned again to emphasize learning from past failures.

Working Your Way Out of Mistakes

This section focuses on the speaker's approach to working their way out of a mistake and the importance of perseverance.

Working Your Way Out

• The speaker shares their experience of successfully working their way out of a mistake by succeeding for two years and doing great work.

• They acknowledge their tendency to prioritize speed and loose operations but had to adapt to Amazon's preference for caution.

• The speaker emphasizes the need to consider potential negative media attention, such as a New York Times headline, when making decisions.

Lessons Learned from Surprise Launches

Here, the speaker discusses lessons learned from surprise launches and the importance of beta testing.

Surprise Launches and Beta Testing

• Amazon previously favored surprise launches as a reaction to Microsoft's habit of delaying product releases.

• However, the speaker realized that surprise launches can lead to unexpected issues.

• They shifted their approach towards more beta testing and prioritizing launching products that have been thoroughly tested.

Being There for Team Members

This section highlights the importance of supporting team members during challenging times.

Supporting Team Members

• The speaker reflects on an incident where a new college graduate engineer made a critical mistake in coding.

• They regret not reaching out to reassure him that it was not solely his fault but rather a system failure.

• The lesson learned is about being there for team members during difficult situations and providing support.

Lessons in Responsibility and Regret

In this section, the speaker expresses regret over not realizing how someone felt after making a mistake.

Lessons in Responsibility and Regret

• Despite no one blaming or yelling at the engineer who made the coding error, he still felt responsible and left the company.

• The speaker regrets not recognizing his feelings and wishes they had stepped in to provide support.

• This serves as an example of the importance of ownership and being there for team members.

Contributing to Amazon's Leadership Principles

Here, the speaker discusses their involvement in crafting one of Amazon's leadership principles.

Crafting Leadership Principles

• Amazon has gone through multiple revisions of its leadership principles over the years.

• The speaker had a role in defining the principle of ownership during one of these revisions.

• They highlight the significance of having a say in shaping such principles within a company like Amazon.

Ownership and Impactful Words

The speaker discusses the importance of ownership and how a group of individuals proposed a draft on how ownership should be written. The phrase "an owner never says that's not my job" was suggested and eventually became part of the leadership principles.

Ownership Proposal

• A group of individuals sat down to draft a proposal for including ownership in the leadership principles.

• The phrase "an owner never says that's not my job" was suggested as part of the proposal.

Impactful Words

• The phrase "an owner never says that's not my job" is considered one of the most impactful things ever written at Amazon.

• It is part of the leadership principle on ownership, which has significant influence within the company.

Favorite Leadership Principles

The speaker shares their favorite leadership principles, focusing on bias for action and customer obsession.

Bias for Action

• Speed matters in business, and being quick is necessary in a competitive environment.

• Being right is good, but being quick is essential because competitors may make early bets and succeed.

• Having a process that values speed and commitment to action is crucial.

Customer Obsession

• Customer obsession is emphasized as a core goal and differentiator at Amazon.

• It drives decision-making and prioritizes meeting customer needs above all else.

Decisiveness in Blue Origin

The speaker discusses Jeff Bezos's focus on decisiveness with Blue Origin, emphasizing leaning into bias for action fully.

Decisiveness in Blue Origin

• Jeff Bezos wants decisiveness to be a key aspect of Blue Origin's culture.

• Leaning into bias for action aligns with making progress quickly while ensuring accuracy and safety.

Influence and Credit

The speaker reflects on their role in proposing the ownership phrase and the lack of credit received.

Influence and Credit

• The speaker proposed the ownership phrase but does not claim credit for it.

• They have written proof of suggesting the phrase, but it is not about personal recognition.

• It demonstrates that good ideas can influence higher levels within a company.

Challenging Leadership and Feedback

The speaker discusses challenging Jeff Wilke's leadership style and the importance of providing feedback.

Challenging Leadership

• Challenging Jeff Wilke's leadership was met with resistance initially.

• Critiquing work two levels higher required confidence and persistence.

• However, it led to identifying missing aspects, such as ownership in this case.

Importance of Feedback

• Providing feedback, even to strong leaders, can lead to improvements and better decision-making.

• Openness to questioning one's beliefs and seeking diverse perspectives is crucial for success.

Disagreeing with Backbone

The speaker highlights the principle of disagreeing with backbone and how being right is essential for success.

Disagreeing with Backbone

• Disagreeing with backbone is an important principle at Amazon.

• Leaders actively work to disconfirm their beliefs, seek diverse perspectives, and question themselves.

• This principle promotes open-mindedness and continuous learning.

Being Right for Success

• Projecting confidence or shipping things without being right is insufficient for success.

• Being right requires actively seeking new evidence, learning, adapting, and making informed decisions.

The Return to Office Movement

In this section, the speaker expresses a contrarian view on the return to office movement and discusses the potential for innovation in remote work.

Contrarian View on Returning to Office

• The speaker is contrarian about the return to office movement.

• Many leaders at their level publicly favor returning to the office full-time.

• The speaker believes that offices have reached their peak in terms of improvement.

• Innovation in offices has been limited compared to remote work.

• Remote work offers more opportunities for improvement and exploration.

• The speaker has faith in improving the remote work experience.

Doing Business on a Handshake

• The speaker is also contrarian about doing business with contracts and lawyers.

• They believe that too much reliance on contracts undermines trust and personal commitment.

• The speaker prefers doing business based on trust and personal integrity.

• While occasional disappointments may occur, they believe it is worth the risk.

Recommended Books for Better Decision Making and Leadership

In this section, the speaker shares their top book recommendations related to decision making, leadership, and self-improvement.

Book Recommendations

1. "Decisive" by Chip and Dan Heath

• This book explores the science of making better decisions.

• It applies not only to professional life but also personal life.

• The speaker highly recommends it for career development.

2. "Leadership and Self-Deception" by The Arbinger Institute

• This lesser-known book delves into self-deception causing interpersonal problems.

• It encourages individuals to reflect on their role in conflicts with others.

3. "The Almanac of Raikan" by Nal Raikan

• This book emphasizes being successful while loving what you do.

• It encourages individuals to embrace their unique strengths and not try to copy others.

Favorite Movie/TV Show and Interview Question

In this section, the speaker shares their favorite movie/TV show and a favorite interview question they like to ask candidates.

Favorite Movie/TV Show

• The speaker grew up on a farm and enjoys watching Taylor Sheridan's series, such as "Yellowstone" and "1923."

• They find it amusing how many deaths occur in the series despite being set on a ranch in Montana.

Favorite Interview Question

• The speaker's favorite interview question is asking candidates about a time when they needed to disagree with management or stand up for their position against higher leadership.

• They believe that having people with backbone who can respectfully disagree and commit is essential for effective leadership.

These are the main points from the transcript.

Life Motto and Social Responsibility

In this section, the speaker discusses their favorite life motto and reflects on their social responsibility.

Life Motto

• The speaker's favorite life motto is "To whom much has been given, from him much will be required."

• They think about their social responsibility and what they owe to pay forward.

• Growing up in an upper-middle-class setting, they have been lucky and successful in their career.

• They contemplate their responsibility as someone who has been given a lot.

Going to Space

• The speaker mentions Jeff Bezos starting a space business.

• When asked if they would go to space, they express interest but mention not being willing to pay the current ticket prices.

• They acknowledge the risk involved but state that they would take the gamble.

Being an Early Adopter

• The speaker recalls the space shuttle explosion incident and mentions being willing to get on the next one despite the risks.

• They consider themselves an early adopter when it comes to new experiences or opportunities.

Online Presence and Reader Feedback

In this section, the speaker shares where people can find them online and how readers can provide feedback.

Online Presence

• The best place to find the speaker online is LinkedIn. Their handle is Ethan Evans VP.

• They also have a substack newsletter and teach through the Maven platform, both linked off LinkedIn.

Reader Feedback

• Readers can help by commenting on what the speaker writes. This allows them to gain different perspectives, exceptions, special cases, or examples that improve their thinking.

• The speaker values comments as a way of incorporating diverse viewpoints into their work.

Career Development and Leadership Coaching

In this section, the speaker discusses their focus on career development and leadership coaching.

Career Development

• The speaker helps people with career growth, including attaining promotions, new roles, or raises.

• They teach the "magic loop" of career advancement and provide guidance on achieving professional goals.

Leadership Coaching

• The speaker offers a popular course called "Stuck at Senior Manager Breaking Through to Executive."

• This course focuses on helping individuals transition from middle management to higher-level leadership positions.

• They emphasize the need for change and personal growth to reach higher levels of leadership success.

Conclusion and Appreciation

In this final section, the conversation concludes with appreciation for the interview process.

Appreciation

• The interviewer expresses gratitude for the speaker's presence and compliments their interviewing skills.

• The speaker appreciates the positive feedback and acknowledges that it has been a pleasure participating in the interview.