74: Former Amazon VP Shares 5 Steps To Leveling Up Your Career Fast | Ethan Evans

Oct 10, 2024

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How do successful executives bridge the gap between professional success and personal satisfaction? If you’re a business leader looking to take your career to the next level while also finding deeper fulfillment, or if you’re ready to uncover the skills and strategies that will propel you from management to the executive level, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, hosts Damon Lembi and Darren Bridgett sit down with Ethan Evans, former VP at Amazon who played a pivotal role in the creation of Prime Video and led global teams of over 800 people. With 70+ patents and a wealth of experience, Ethan shares his personal insights about how emotional intelligence, adaptability, and human connection shaped his path to executive leadership. From navigating complex team dynamics to transitioning into impactful leadership roles, Ethan offers practical advice for anyone looking to rise to the top of their field without losing a sense of purpose.

This Episode Covers:

Real-world stories of leadership, growth, and the critical mindset shifts that helped Ethan—and can help you—achieve more than just professional success, but a career that aligns with your deeper values.
The importance of emotional intelligence and adaptability in leadership
How to find meaning and fulfillment in your work
Managing up: How to build a successful relationship with your boss
Key strategies for transitioning from a manager to an executive
Key principles for achieving success in executive roles, from decision-making to resilience.
The “Magic Loop” – Ethan’s framework for managing up and standing out.
Insights on blending technical and human-focused leadership skills.
Strategies for adapting to new roles and responsibilities as your career evolves.
Learning from mistakes and navigating difficult moments with integrity.

Episode Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction to Ethan Evans – Damon and Darren introduce Ethan Evans, former Amazon VP, and set up the conversation around career growth and leadership.

(01:55) From Engineer to Executive – Ethan shares how his love for engineering evolved into a passion for leadership, leading to his eventual role as VP at Amazon.

(05:30) Emotional Intelligence and Leadership – Ethan discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and how developing soft skills helped him manage large teams and grow as a leader.

(08:40) The Power of Adaptability – Ethan talks about how being adaptable and learning from failures shaped his leadership style.

(12:00) How to Manage Up – Ethan shares his "Magic Loop" strategy for effectively managing relationships with your boss and climbing the corporate ladder.

(17:00) Finding Meaning in Your Work – Ethan explains how he discovered purpose in his work and why it’s important for leaders to help their teams find meaning as well.

(23:10) Managing Overload and Delegation – Ethan discusses how to handle growing responsibilities without burning out, especially as you move up in leadership roles.

(29:20) Key Strategies for Transitioning from Manager to Executive – Ethan outlines the essential skills and behaviors needed to make the leap from manager to executive.

(34:00) The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership – Ethan emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in leading teams effectively, particularly during times of stress and change.

(44:15) Where to Connect with Ethan Evans – Ethan shares how listeners can connect with him on LinkedIn and learn more from his daily posts and writings.

About Ethan:

Ethan Evans, a retired Amazon Vice President and LinkedIn Top Voice, led global teams of 800+ and holds over 70 patents, including his leadership and contribution to the launch of Prime Video and Amazon Video. He reviewed 10,000+ resumes, conducted 2,500+ interviews, and played a key role in drafting Amazon's "Ownership" Leadership Principle. Known for his expertise in career growth and executive leadership, Ethan has directly promoted numerous leaders who have gone on to VP and C-suite roles. Today, he shares his knowledge through classes, content on LinkedIn, and his personal website, helping professionals elevate their careers and navigate the complex landscape of executive leadership.

Resources Referenced:

Become a Level Up Newsletter & Community member (Learnit readers get 25% off the annual subscription) - https://levelupwithethanevans.substack.com/learnit25
Follow Ethan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanevansvp/
Get Ethan's career advice on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@EthanEvansVP
Contact Ethan for podcast appearances, speaking, corporate training, and more - https://www.ethanevans.com/contact
Personality tests: DISC, Myers-Briggs, Hogan
Ethan's website: https://www.ethanevans.com

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: https://www.learnit.com

Email: podcast@learnit.com