5 lessons Ethan Evans (retired Amazon VP) wish he knew earlier in his career to go faster and build a stronger network:

1/ Reframe from “Get a job” to “Build my career plan” by understanding:

• How your current company vs the broader industry views career paths.

• How your company conducts performance reviews and the different ratings.

• Who are the people in the room (key stakeholders) when big decisions are made on ratings, reviews, raises, promotion panels.

2/ EQ > IQ

Consider this example:

Picture someone you work with that you like and think highly of. They mess up. Instead of thinking you misjudged them, you make up excuses for them — “Nishant has always been good, I wonder what happened there…it’s not like him.”

Now flip it. Picture someone you do not like. Someone who has let you down. When they mess up, you do not make excuses. Instead, you can list all the reasons why they messed up (e.g. disorganized, uncommunicative, poor judgement, lack of leadership).

3/ Do not underestimate network “weak ties”

• Find a platform where you can contribute value to others (e.g. post and build in public, volunteer at a non-profit, organize a networking event, start a book club, speak on panels). The more value you bring to others, the stronger your “weak ties” become

4/ Keys to getting promoted FAST

• Be proactive.

• Offer help.

• Build a relationship with your manager.

5/ Be a magnet for executive sponsorship

• Answer the question: “What’s in it for them [busy executive]?”

• Be very specific about what you want to discuss and make the ask lightweight (e.g. 20min, not 1 hour).

• Executives are too busy to just “get to know you” instead, bring a unique insight that impacts the business.

• The best way to ask an executive is to get your manager to ask on your behalf.

Read detailed examples in this article: levelupwithethanevans.s…