Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said “embarrassing” early career success, especially for professionals in their 20s, depends on maintaining a positive attitude. In a recent interview with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky, Jassy emphasized that while many career factors are out of your control, attitude is well within your control.
“I think people are surprised at how few people have great attitudes,” said Jassy, who has led the tech giant since Jeff Bezos stepped down in 2021. “Enthusiasm helps attract leaders and supporters because people want to be positive.” people. “
However, Jassy warns that optimism is not enough. Young professionals must back up their positive outlook with concrete actions, such as following through on promises and maintaining a strong work ethic.
The CEO, who joined Amazon in 1997 as a marketing manager before launching Amazon Web Services, also emphasized the importance of continuous learning throughout your career. He cautioned against the complacency that can ensue at the advanced level, saying, “The moment you think you know everything, you really start to relax.”
Given his background, Jassy revealed that his early focus on competitive sports such as soccer and tennis may have contributed to his business success. This is consistent with research on Ivy League graduates showing that students who are more involved in athletics tend to earn higher positions and higher salaries in business careers than non-athletic students. .
Prior to joining Amazon, Jassy was pursuing a career in sportscasting and music management. He ultimately helped build AWS into a significant profit center, generating $13.5 billion of Amazon’s $22.9 billion in operating profits by 2020 and establishing himself as Bezos’ successor. .
