As the head of one of the world’s largest tech companies, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently shared insights about his career in an interview with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky.
During the conversation, the two executives discussed several aspects of Jassy’s professional life. He emphasized a key piece of advice for young Generation Z individuals starting their careers. “I think an embarrassing amount of how well you do, particularly in your 20s, has to do with attitude,” he said.
Lessons from a “Bumpy” Career
Jassy’s career could have taken a very different path, especially since working in the technology sector was never part of his original plans.
In the early stages of his career, Jassy explored several fields, starting as a tennis and soccer player. He then transitioned into sports broadcasting, eventually becoming a sports announcer. Following that, he ventured into the music industry as a manager and even tried his hand at being a lawyer, but he soon realized that wasn’t suited for him.
Through these diverse experiences, Jassy learned an important lesson. According to him, whatever career path you choose, it should be something you genuinely love. In addition, you must be patient if you’re truly passionate about it.
Reflecting on his journey, the Amazon CEO added, “There [are] so many things that you can’t control in your work life, but you can control your attitude. I think people would be surprised how infrequently people have great attitudes. I think it makes a big difference.”
One key reason Jassy values a positive attitude is that people are naturally drawn to those who create a constructive work environment. He explains, “[With a good attitude], you pick up advocates and mentors much more quickly. People want those people to succeed, and it’s very controllable.”
However, Jassy also points out that having a positive attitude must be paired with a sense of self-responsibility. “Do you work hard? Are you more ‘can do’ than ‘nay-saying’? Do you do what you said you were going to do? Can you work on a team? Those things seem so simple…” he told Roslansky.
More Attitude, Fewer Degrees
Jassy isn’t alone in believing that a positive attitude can be more important than academic training or technical qualifications. In a Bloomberg interview, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed similar sentiments. He said he prefers to recruit candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic and a good attitude rather than those with prestigious degrees from business schools and private universities.
Jassy also told Roslansky, “The biggest difference between the people I started with in the early stages of my career and what they're doing now has to do with how great they were at learning.” In other words, while skills and knowledge can be developed over time and with dedication, attitude is inherent.
The Amazon CEO sees a strong connection between the skills and teamwork ethic he gained as an athlete and his leadership role at the tech company. His secret has been maintaining the positive attitude and culture of hard work he embraced during his sports career.
In fact, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Ivy League athletes were more likely to secure jobs in finance and business after college. Additionally, the report concludes they often obtain more responsible positions with higher salaries compared to non-athlete students.
Image | Fortune Brainstorm TECH
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