Ex-Amazon VP tells us what it’s really like working with Jeff Bezos

Ethan Evans, a former Amazon executive, shares insights from his extensive career at the tech giant, discussing the evolution of Amazon Prime and the leadership style of Jeff Bezos. Evans recounts how Bezos transformed his demanding nature over time, initially focusing on critical feedback without offering praise, which could demoralize some employees. He notes that while Bezos was often right in his business decisions, his critical approach sometimes led to a lack of team morale, particularly during high-stakes meetings.

Evans also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a connection with customers as executives become more insulated from everyday realities. He highlights Bezos's philosophy of prioritizing customer feedback, emphasizing that even at Amazon's scale, individual customer complaints could reveal significant issues. The discussion touches on the balance between strategic patience and tactical impatience, illustrating how Bezos encouraged relentless progress toward long-term goals while maintaining a high bar for performance.

Additionally, Evans discusses the origins of Amazon Prime, revealing that it was initially conceived as a rapid shipping program to counteract a potential downturn in sales. The program evolved from a simple shipping solution into a comprehensive membership service, driven by a commitment to customer satisfaction. He concludes by reflecting on his transition from corporate executive to executive coach, emphasizing the importance of helping others achieve their own success and fulfillment.

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Episode 877: Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) and Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) talk to Ethan Evans about what it’s really like to work with Jeff Bezos.

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Show Notes:

(0:00) Intro

(3:15) Criticism without praise

(5:15) The every-great-man flaw

(7:05) Attack mode

(11:45) “Sometimes all you need is a B”

(19:35) Question mark emails

(22:25) Strategically patient, but tactically impatient

(24:10) Work hard, long, and smart

(25:15) Where high-performers go to feel bad about themselves

(28:05) Ethan evaluates Shaan

(35:55) Project selection

(39:50) Waiting for fat pitches

(42:30) Jeff’s security detail

(45:50) The story of Amazon Prime

(47:55) Amazon's idea tool

(50:55) Good design vs. bad design

(54:15) The morality of Amazon

(56:15) Who Jeff studied

(31:35) Post-Amazon

(1:04:10) Streaming career advice on Twitch

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Links:

• https://www.ethanevans.com/about

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My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano /