Dave
@scarletink.com
Newsletter author at http://scarletink.com Ex. GM and Tech Director at Amazon. Ex. CTO at Bezos Academy. This is me: http://linkedin.com/in/scarletink/
The world isn't fair. We've heard that often enough.
But beyond the "suck it up buttercup" sentiment, is there something valuable to be gained here? I think there are two things to think about.
But beyond the "suck it up buttercup" sentiment, is there something valuable to be gained here? I think there are two things to think about.
But It's Not Fair! How to Deal With Irritating Situations.
Numerous things in life aren't fair. However, complaining about it won't fix things. Let's focus on fixing things.
www.scarletink.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The world isn't fair. We've heard that often enough.
But beyond the "suck it up buttercup" sentiment, is there something valuable to be gained here? I think there are two things to think about.
But beyond the "suck it up buttercup" sentiment, is there something valuable to be gained here? I think there are two things to think about.
One of Amazon's frequently quoted mottos is to trust yet verify. You assume the best intentions from people. You assume that they're competent. Yet, you still verify because everyone makes mistakes.
You never want a great excuse for a failure.
You never want a great excuse for a failure.
Be Skeptical: Challenging the Beliefs Underlying Everything
We blindly trust a lot at our companies. We trust that our metrics are telling us a truthful story. We trust that our processes are giving us the value we need. We trust that our assumptions are…
www.scarletink.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
One of Amazon's frequently quoted mottos is to trust yet verify. You assume the best intentions from people. You assume that they're competent. Yet, you still verify because everyone makes mistakes.
You never want a great excuse for a failure.
You never want a great excuse for a failure.
The Amazon Bar Raiser process is how one of the world's most prolific hiring pipelines scales.
Unlike Amazon's perf system, most employees love BRs. It creates high-quality hires, improves the experience for candidates, and trains new interviewers.
For more on the process:
Unlike Amazon's perf system, most employees love BRs. It creates high-quality hires, improves the experience for candidates, and trains new interviewers.
For more on the process:
How the Amazon Bar Raiser Interview Process Works — Raising the Bar
Improving the imperfect system of choosing your next co-worker. The Bar Raiser process at Amazon scales one of the worlds most prolific hiring pipelines.
buff.ly
January 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Amazon Bar Raiser process is how one of the world's most prolific hiring pipelines scales.
Unlike Amazon's perf system, most employees love BRs. It creates high-quality hires, improves the experience for candidates, and trains new interviewers.
For more on the process:
Unlike Amazon's perf system, most employees love BRs. It creates high-quality hires, improves the experience for candidates, and trains new interviewers.
For more on the process:
Amazon expects their engineering managers to run projects, mentor employees, design systems, architect platforms, manage operations, communicate with customers, and evolve products. But they don't expect them to code. However, that's not true of many companies.
"Can't Code! Not inclined to Hire?" - Why Engineering Managers Don't Need to be Great Coders
An explanation of why managers do not need to code, and probably shouldn't.
www.scarletink.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Amazon expects their engineering managers to run projects, mentor employees, design systems, architect platforms, manage operations, communicate with customers, and evolve products. But they don't expect them to code. However, that's not true of many companies.
When bad things happen, we love to look for an explanation.
"The launch didn't meet expectations because of X."
"The outage happened because of Y."
"We made that bad hire, because of Z."
Having a single simple explanation is satisfying to the explainer and listener for a couple of big reasons.
"The launch didn't meet expectations because of X."
"The outage happened because of Y."
"We made that bad hire, because of Z."
Having a single simple explanation is satisfying to the explainer and listener for a couple of big reasons.
Finding an Explanation vs. Permanent Resolution of Issues
If we're not careful, we default into defensiveness when issues arise. And everyone involved will be tempted to avoid blame, and keep things simple. Don't fall for that trap.
www.scarletink.com
January 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
When bad things happen, we love to look for an explanation.
"The launch didn't meet expectations because of X."
"The outage happened because of Y."
"We made that bad hire, because of Z."
Having a single simple explanation is satisfying to the explainer and listener for a couple of big reasons.
"The launch didn't meet expectations because of X."
"The outage happened because of Y."
"We made that bad hire, because of Z."
Having a single simple explanation is satisfying to the explainer and listener for a couple of big reasons.
If you're a manager, and your employee is surprised by receiving a PIP / coaching plan, you've failed.
Before their poor performance is a problem, you need to give feedback early and often.
Before their poor performance is a problem, you need to give feedback early and often.
January 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
If you're a manager, and your employee is surprised by receiving a PIP / coaching plan, you've failed.
Before their poor performance is a problem, you need to give feedback early and often.
Before their poor performance is a problem, you need to give feedback early and often.
When you're standing in a boat filling with water, bailing the water out can feel like the right current step. However, that bailing distracts you from figuring out how to patch the boat.
Similarly, when you're overwhelmed at work, it feels right to work harder. Longer hours.
Similarly, when you're overwhelmed at work, it feels right to work harder. Longer hours.
January 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
When you're standing in a boat filling with water, bailing the water out can feel like the right current step. However, that bailing distracts you from figuring out how to patch the boat.
Similarly, when you're overwhelmed at work, it feels right to work harder. Longer hours.
Similarly, when you're overwhelmed at work, it feels right to work harder. Longer hours.
I love this article because it embodies my favorite part of working at Amazon. Helping my peers grow their careers.
And I don't mean that tongue in cheek, or in a clickbaity way.
And I don't mean that tongue in cheek, or in a clickbaity way.
January 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I love this article because it embodies my favorite part of working at Amazon. Helping my peers grow their careers.
And I don't mean that tongue in cheek, or in a clickbaity way.
And I don't mean that tongue in cheek, or in a clickbaity way.
I can't overstate the importance of clear and concise communication.
Answer questions first, and more only if necessary.
Share information, but only what the other party needs.
Master those, and you'll be less annoying than 95% of your peers.
Answer questions first, and more only if necessary.
Share information, but only what the other party needs.
Master those, and you'll be less annoying than 95% of your peers.
The Value of Clear and Concise Communication
Clear and Concise communication which directly answers questions or provides information is a key trait of successful leaders.
buff.ly
January 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I can't overstate the importance of clear and concise communication.
Answer questions first, and more only if necessary.
Share information, but only what the other party needs.
Master those, and you'll be less annoying than 95% of your peers.
Answer questions first, and more only if necessary.
Share information, but only what the other party needs.
Master those, and you'll be less annoying than 95% of your peers.
If you're afraid to delegate because you're worried about feeling lazy, it's the wrong mindset.
Think of delegation as for the other person, not for yourself. The biggest benefit isn't freeing up your time, it's empowering them so they can grow.
Think of delegation as for the other person, not for yourself. The biggest benefit isn't freeing up your time, it's empowering them so they can grow.
Delegation is Empowerment — The Four Steps to Give Away a Task Today
Delegation is a critical skill to practice and learn as you gain in experience.
buff.ly
January 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
If you're afraid to delegate because you're worried about feeling lazy, it's the wrong mindset.
Think of delegation as for the other person, not for yourself. The biggest benefit isn't freeing up your time, it's empowering them so they can grow.
Think of delegation as for the other person, not for yourself. The biggest benefit isn't freeing up your time, it's empowering them so they can grow.
What surprised me about leaving the corporate world to tinker & write? One big one was how easy it was to just do things.
Big things are effectively impossible for me to accomplish, but small things are remarkably easy. When I want to change marketing copy on my website, I change it.
Big things are effectively impossible for me to accomplish, but small things are remarkably easy. When I want to change marketing copy on my website, I change it.
January 8, 2025 at 2:24 PM
What surprised me about leaving the corporate world to tinker & write? One big one was how easy it was to just do things.
Big things are effectively impossible for me to accomplish, but small things are remarkably easy. When I want to change marketing copy on my website, I change it.
Big things are effectively impossible for me to accomplish, but small things are remarkably easy. When I want to change marketing copy on my website, I change it.
At Amazon, handling tech emergencies was a critical skill for leaders (both managers and ICs).
What was the number one rule in emergencies? Don't waste time blaming because the past is done. Get the thing fixed, and we can figure out next steps later.
What was the number one rule in emergencies? Don't waste time blaming because the past is done. Get the thing fixed, and we can figure out next steps later.
Stoicism is Not Just For Emperors and Hipsters
Staying calm in a crisis is a necessary component of leadership.
buff.ly
January 6, 2025 at 2:24 PM
At Amazon, handling tech emergencies was a critical skill for leaders (both managers and ICs).
What was the number one rule in emergencies? Don't waste time blaming because the past is done. Get the thing fixed, and we can figure out next steps later.
What was the number one rule in emergencies? Don't waste time blaming because the past is done. Get the thing fixed, and we can figure out next steps later.
I spent 12+ years at Amazon, and I watched what grew my career, and my peers.
At junior levels, you can get nice comp bumps from job hopping. But I'm convinced that tenure (at a good company) is incredibly effective for senior employees.
At junior levels, you can get nice comp bumps from job hopping. But I'm convinced that tenure (at a good company) is incredibly effective for senior employees.
Boring Tenure versus Exciting Job Hopping
Growing your career and skills takes tenure and experience at a company. This runs counter to the oft repeated suggestion to job hop for improved compensation.
buff.ly
January 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I spent 12+ years at Amazon, and I watched what grew my career, and my peers.
At junior levels, you can get nice comp bumps from job hopping. But I'm convinced that tenure (at a good company) is incredibly effective for senior employees.
At junior levels, you can get nice comp bumps from job hopping. But I'm convinced that tenure (at a good company) is incredibly effective for senior employees.
Amazon leaders spend a lot of time writing. Writing a newsletter was a natural extension of my time there.
I walked through a bit of my thinking on how I write, and some steps I take to make an organized newsletter each week.
https://buff.ly/4fS9rMk
I walked through a bit of my thinking on how I write, and some steps I take to make an organized newsletter each week.
https://buff.ly/4fS9rMk
January 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Amazon leaders spend a lot of time writing. Writing a newsletter was a natural extension of my time there.
I walked through a bit of my thinking on how I write, and some steps I take to make an organized newsletter each week.
https://buff.ly/4fS9rMk
I walked through a bit of my thinking on how I write, and some steps I take to make an organized newsletter each week.
https://buff.ly/4fS9rMk
Making a mistake is what leads to growth because it creates change. If you are successful, there's no change, so no growth.
Being afraid of mistakes at work is deadly because it kills growth. This means that courage becomes a key component to success.
Being afraid of mistakes at work is deadly because it kills growth. This means that courage becomes a key component to success.
Failure is Critical to Success and Growth
You can only succeed if you are willing to fail. You can only learn if you are willing to be terrible at first.
buff.ly
December 30, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Making a mistake is what leads to growth because it creates change. If you are successful, there's no change, so no growth.
Being afraid of mistakes at work is deadly because it kills growth. This means that courage becomes a key component to success.
Being afraid of mistakes at work is deadly because it kills growth. This means that courage becomes a key component to success.
In decision-making, if you can't be wrong, you're not adding value.
Examples:
"I was a part of the X important discussion."
"I ensured everyone was on track."
"I agreed with Y direction."
What do these things have in common?
Examples:
"I was a part of the X important discussion."
"I ensured everyone was on track."
"I agreed with Y direction."
What do these things have in common?
December 27, 2024 at 2:24 PM
In decision-making, if you can't be wrong, you're not adding value.
Examples:
"I was a part of the X important discussion."
"I ensured everyone was on track."
"I agreed with Y direction."
What do these things have in common?
Examples:
"I was a part of the X important discussion."
"I ensured everyone was on track."
"I agreed with Y direction."
What do these things have in common?
Let’s say you take a shovel out to your backyard. You pick a spot of the way, and start digging a hole. Oh man, you’re working hard. You spend a few hours in the sun, shoveling hard.
Did you accomplish something? That depends on if you want to have a hole in the ground. That "Why" is important.
Did you accomplish something? That depends on if you want to have a hole in the ground. That "Why" is important.
December 25, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Let’s say you take a shovel out to your backyard. You pick a spot of the way, and start digging a hole. Oh man, you’re working hard. You spend a few hours in the sun, shoveling hard.
Did you accomplish something? That depends on if you want to have a hole in the ground. That "Why" is important.
Did you accomplish something? That depends on if you want to have a hole in the ground. That "Why" is important.
As a bar raiser, I sat in a thousand+ interviews, and heard feedback from thousands of interviewers.
One recurring theme is that interview candidates mistakenly believe that when they hear "do you have questions for me?" the interview is over. It's not.
One recurring theme is that interview candidates mistakenly believe that when they hear "do you have questions for me?" the interview is over. It's not.
Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview
Asking questions at the end of an interview is still part of the interview process. Give yourself the best chance of getting hired by asking good questions.
buff.ly
December 23, 2024 at 2:24 PM
As a bar raiser, I sat in a thousand+ interviews, and heard feedback from thousands of interviewers.
One recurring theme is that interview candidates mistakenly believe that when they hear "do you have questions for me?" the interview is over. It's not.
One recurring theme is that interview candidates mistakenly believe that when they hear "do you have questions for me?" the interview is over. It's not.
After years at Amazon in management, I still love the job.
But it's not for everyone. For example, the "heck yeah" feeling as an eng when you fix a gnarly bug? As a manager, you hear to your team say "heck yeah", while you head to your next meeting.
But it's not for everyone. For example, the "heck yeah" feeling as an eng when you fix a gnarly bug? As a manager, you hear to your team say "heck yeah", while you head to your next meeting.
Thinking of Becoming a Manager? You Might Regret It.
There are numerous reasons you might not want to move into management. I walk through a few things to consider.
buff.ly
December 20, 2024 at 2:24 PM
After years at Amazon in management, I still love the job.
But it's not for everyone. For example, the "heck yeah" feeling as an eng when you fix a gnarly bug? As a manager, you hear to your team say "heck yeah", while you head to your next meeting.
But it's not for everyone. For example, the "heck yeah" feeling as an eng when you fix a gnarly bug? As a manager, you hear to your team say "heck yeah", while you head to your next meeting.
I worked at Amazon, so I'm familiar with burnout. Hah.
But burnout is a terrible waste. The company has one less employee. The employee spends too much time at work, and then too little when they finally quit. It's bad business for both parties involved.
But burnout is a terrible waste. The company has one less employee. The employee spends too much time at work, and then too little when they finally quit. It's bad business for both parties involved.
Overworked Drone Gives Up. "I Quit." How Senior Employees Can Regain Their Sanity.
Senior employees are in high demand to help out their teams. But that can lead to overwork. How can they balance everything?
buff.ly
December 18, 2024 at 2:24 PM
I worked at Amazon, so I'm familiar with burnout. Hah.
But burnout is a terrible waste. The company has one less employee. The employee spends too much time at work, and then too little when they finally quit. It's bad business for both parties involved.
But burnout is a terrible waste. The company has one less employee. The employee spends too much time at work, and then too little when they finally quit. It's bad business for both parties involved.
Delegation is one of the best gifts a manager can give their employees. It's that win/win/win thing.
The manager gets time back.
The employee learns something.
The company has more people who can do work.
It feels lazy, but doing less is often good.
The manager gets time back.
The employee learns something.
The company has more people who can do work.
It feels lazy, but doing less is often good.
Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource — Leaders Spend Time Sparingly
Strangely, doing less often means accomplishing more.
buff.ly
December 16, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Delegation is one of the best gifts a manager can give their employees. It's that win/win/win thing.
The manager gets time back.
The employee learns something.
The company has more people who can do work.
It feels lazy, but doing less is often good.
The manager gets time back.
The employee learns something.
The company has more people who can do work.
It feels lazy, but doing less is often good.
As a junior and eventually senior employee at Amazon, one of my favorite programs has always been the internship program.
It's the best way into a company. It's a fun experience. It's a fantastic way to learn what having a serious job is like.
It's the best way into a company. It's a fun experience. It's a fantastic way to learn what having a serious job is like.
December 13, 2024 at 2:24 PM
As a junior and eventually senior employee at Amazon, one of my favorite programs has always been the internship program.
It's the best way into a company. It's a fun experience. It's a fantastic way to learn what having a serious job is like.
It's the best way into a company. It's a fun experience. It's a fantastic way to learn what having a serious job is like.
While Amazon's LP says that leaders are right a lot, what it is really talking about is that leaders are people who become right a lot.
You can get a great outcome from being lucky, and yet you can do everything right and have a bad outcome.
You can get a great outcome from being lucky, and yet you can do everything right and have a bad outcome.
December 11, 2024 at 2:24 PM
While Amazon's LP says that leaders are right a lot, what it is really talking about is that leaders are people who become right a lot.
You can get a great outcome from being lucky, and yet you can do everything right and have a bad outcome.
You can get a great outcome from being lucky, and yet you can do everything right and have a bad outcome.
The Amazon internal transfer process was pretty terrible when I joined Amazon.
* It locked you into your team for 12 months after hire / team change.
* It allowed your manager to block your transfer for any reason.
* Managers could ask for 9 weeks of transition time, which (of course) they did.
* It locked you into your team for 12 months after hire / team change.
* It allowed your manager to block your transfer for any reason.
* Managers could ask for 9 weeks of transition time, which (of course) they did.
December 10, 2024 at 2:00 PM
The Amazon internal transfer process was pretty terrible when I joined Amazon.
* It locked you into your team for 12 months after hire / team change.
* It allowed your manager to block your transfer for any reason.
* Managers could ask for 9 weeks of transition time, which (of course) they did.
* It locked you into your team for 12 months after hire / team change.
* It allowed your manager to block your transfer for any reason.
* Managers could ask for 9 weeks of transition time, which (of course) they did.
After 12+ years at Amazon as a BR and hiring manager, I learned a lot about the hiring process.
Yet, I'm still angry at how messy and confusing mine was. So I wrote this article to ensure others didn't have to be confused.
Yet, I'm still angry at how messy and confusing mine was. So I wrote this article to ensure others didn't have to be confused.
What to Expect from the Amazon Interview and Hiring Process
A full summary of the entire Amazon interview and hiring process, from resume review to the questions, to offer completion. How to do the preparation necessary to be successful.
buff.ly
December 9, 2024 at 2:24 PM
After 12+ years at Amazon as a BR and hiring manager, I learned a lot about the hiring process.
Yet, I'm still angry at how messy and confusing mine was. So I wrote this article to ensure others didn't have to be confused.
Yet, I'm still angry at how messy and confusing mine was. So I wrote this article to ensure others didn't have to be confused.