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Building the Future

Senior Software Development Manager
Current Employee
Has worked at Amazon for less than 1 year
May 22, 2017
Seattle, Washington
5.0
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEO
Pros

Amazon's leaders are dedicated to generating long-term customer value, not just in their words but by their actions. There is a serious commitment to identifying and investing in future leaders who will continue to grow and improve Amazon's leadership culture.

Ideas are evaluated and decisions made with an almost scientific rigor, with a strong preference for data-driven discussions. In the absence of data, calculated risk-taking is acceptable as long as plans include gathering data, failing fast, and avoiding "one-way doors".

The culture is apolitical, and one can find much support among universally intelligent peers, if one makes earnest effort along a compelling plan that incorporates feedback. You will learn a lot here, and you can lead amazing, high-impact contributions that are literally changing the world.

Cons

The performance bar is consistently high and exacts intense focus on one's efforts. The expectation is that great leaders are great owners, and no detail is beneath them. The culture demands rigor and preparedness. The work is hard, commensurate with the impact. Never underestimate the scale at which Amazon operates. No one should expect a "comfortable" post. At Amazon, if you're not stretching, you're not growing.

Advice to Management

Keep the rigor, the scientific approach to management, and the measured experiments.

Double down on helping line managers understand how to cherish their team members while investing in their long-term potential value to the company, not just their tactical capabilities.

Ruthlessly prioritize making it easier for builders to build by consolidating and/or eliminating undifferentiated (wasted) effort.

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