Andy Jassy reveals the surprising trait for massive Amazon success

Before Andy Jassy was running Amazon, he was… well, he was trying things out. Investment banking? Check. Sports production? Yep. Retail? Been there, done that.

So what does the CEO of a $2 trillion company think is the secret sauce? It might surprise you.

It’s All About Attitude

In a recent blog post, Jassy boiled it down to one word: attitude. Seriously. He thinks a huge chunk of success comes down to how you approach things.

Think about it. Jassy didn’t start at the top. He worked his way up, leading Amazon Web Services (AWS) before taking the reins from Jeff Bezos. AWS alone made billions in profit. That takes more than just smarts.

What Does a “Successful Attitude” Look Like?

Jassy broke it down further. It’s not just about being positive. It’s about:

• Working hard. No surprise there.
• Following through. Do what you say you’ll do.
• Being trustworthy. People need to rely on you.
• Teamwork. No one succeeds alone.
• Caring about the mission. Believe in what you’re doing.

And a “can-do” mentality? Absolutely essential.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try (and Fail)

Jassy’s own career path wasn’t a straight line. And that’s okay. He learned from each experience, figuring out what he didn’t want to do.

His advice? You don’t need to have it all figured out. Not in your 20s, not even in your 50s. Keep writing your story.

He’s Said it Before

This isn’t the first time Jassy has preached the power of attitude. He told LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky the same thing. It’s the best career advice he has, especially for those just starting out.

Why? Because you can control it. You can’t control everything at work, but you can control your attitude. And that makes all the difference.

Join the Club

Jassy isn’t alone. Other leaders are echoing this sentiment. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently emphasized the importance of humility and treating employees well, no matter their title. It’s about grit and decisive action.

Maybe it’s not about some secret skill or hidden talent. Maybe it’s just about showing up with the right attitude, ready to work hard, learn, and contribute. Worth a shot, right?