Justin Stevens’ Post

From Service to Elite Opportunities: The Amazon Pathways Program For many, transitioning from a high-pressure, structured environment like the military to the corporate world can be daunting. The shift in culture, pace, and expectations can sometimes feel like moving to an entirely different world. But, as with any transition, the journey becomes smoother when you find a platform that values your unique experiences and skills. This is where the Amazon Pathways Program comes into play. Having had the privilege to engage with the Pathways Program, it's evident to me that Amazon has crafted a program that not only understands the needs of those coming from elite services but also offers opportunities that match the rigor, discipline, and leadership skills that these professionals bring. Why is it so compelling? Tailored Training: Amazon Pathways provides structured training that resonates with the meticulousness of military or elite service. This ensures that the transition is not just about finding a new job, but about developing and expanding upon one’s existing skills in a supportive environment. Leadership Opportunities: The program isn’t just a placeholder; it’s a steppingstone to leadership roles within the Amazon ecosystem. For those who have led teams, managed crises, or overseen operations, it's an avenue to channel these experiences into impactful corporate roles. Culture of Excellence: Amazon's commitment to innovation, customer obsession, and operational excellence mirrors the dedication and discipline that elite service members are accustomed to. This culture of excellence ensures a symbiotic relationship where both the individual and the organization benefit. Genuine Connections: The interactions I've had with the team have been authentic and inspiring. Beyond the roles and responsibilities, it’s the people that make a difference. The camaraderie, mutual respect, and shared drive to achieve greatness is palpable within the Pathways community. For anyone coming from a background of elite service and looking to channel their expertise and leadership skills into the corporate landscape, the Amazon Pathways Program stands out as an unparalleled choice. It bridges the gap, making the leap not just feasible but also immensely rewarding. To The Honor Foundation team – your support has been invaluable. As I stand at this crossroad, there’s anticipation in the air. Big things await, and I'm ready. Chris Lord, Courtney Doda, and John McGriff #amazon #amazonpathways #leadership #militarytransition #TeamBlackTransition

Thrilled to share a major career milestone - I've taken on the exciting responsibility of leading a bigger team at Amazon! Leadership has always been my driving force, and this is a testament to the growth I've experienced. Applying insights from my career and MBA studies, I'm focused on delivering results through leadership that mirrors the best bosses I've had. Development, transparency, fun, and making our work engaging – these are values I hold dear, having experienced their impact firsthand. My portfolio has expanded from 2 to 10 major projects, bringing new challenges and complexities. Excited to drive initiatives in sustainability, tackle major RFPs, and deliver products that will delight our customers in Amazon Middle Mile Surface Transportation. A heartfelt thanks to Daniel Kasack and Vignesh Solairaj for the trust in this interim decision. Nonetheless, this journey marks a significant step in my development plan, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. Here's to the team, the challenges, and the growth that awaits us! 🚀 #Leadership #CareerMilestone #ExcitedForWhatsNext

🌟 10 Things I learned in my 10 Years at Amazon 🌟 As I bid farewell to Amazon, I found myself reflecting on a decade of growth, challenges, and unforgettable experiences, which have shaped me both professionally and personally. Here are 10 key lessons I've learned during my time at Amazon, in the famous Amazon Leadership Principles format: 1️⃣ Customer Obsession: At Amazon, the customer always comes first. This taught me the importance of empathy and truly understanding the needs and desires of those we serve. 2️⃣ Innovate & Simplify: Innovation isn't just about big ideas; it's about making complex things simple. I've learned to embrace creative problem-solving and streamline processes to drive impactful changes. 3️⃣ Embrace Change: With 11 manager changes across 6 business teams in 2 continents, adaptability has become my superpower. Each transition brought new perspectives and opportunities for growth. 4️⃣ Think Big: Amazon's global scale is mind-boggling. Being part of initiatives that touch millions worldwide has shown me the power of thinking beyond borders and aiming high. 5️⃣ Dive Deep: Details matter. Whether working on global products or enhancing customer experiences, I've learned to delve into the minutiae to ensure excellence in everything I do. 6️⃣ Learn and Be Curious: The culture at Amazon fosters continuous learning. I've been encouraged to never stop asking questions and seeking knowledge. 7️⃣ Hire and Develop the Best: Witnessing 96.5% of global Amazonians join after me emphasized the importance of nurturing talent and building strong teams. 8️⃣ Deliver Results: Amazon's fast-paced environment taught me the art of balancing quality with speed. Delivering results isn't just about meeting targets; it's about exceeding expectations. 9️⃣ Earn Trust: Trust is the cornerstone of leadership. The mentors, peers, and colleagues I've had the honor of working with have shown me that trust is built through integrity, transparency, and hard work. 🔟 Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit: Healthy debates lead to the best outcomes. I've learned to voice my opinions confidently and commit to decisions, even when there are differing viewpoints. Thank you, Amazon 🚀💼 #Amazon #Farewell #CareerGrowth #LeadershipPrinciples #ThankYou #AmazonLeadershipPrinciples

90 Days In: Living Amazon's Leadership Principles Every Day Three months ago, I walked into the doors of Amazon, wide-eyed and excited. What drew me in wasn't just the innovative buzz but the company's Leadership Principles – a set of 16 guidelines shaping every decision and action. Now, I'm experiencing them firsthand, and let me tell you, it's an energizing ride. One principle that hits me daily is Think Big. My team is working on a project that could impact millions of customers. We're encouraged to challenge assumptions, explore bold ideas, and not be afraid to fail. This audacious spirit pushes us to think beyond the immediate and strive for game-changing solutions. Speaking of customers, Customer Obsession isn't just a tagline; it's our North Star. Every decision, from product features to internal processes, revolves around exceeding customer expectations. We obsess over their needs, anticipate their problems, and celebrate their victories. This relentless focus ensures we're constantly innovating and delivering real value. But what truly fuels this engine is Hire and Develop the Best. The talent at Amazon is staggering. I'm surrounded by individuals who are brilliant, collaborative, and hungry to learn. The company invests heavily in employee development, providing opportunities to grow, experiment, and push our boundaries. This creates an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best, ultimately benefiting the customer. It's still early days, but my Amazon journey has been a masterclass in leadership. These principles aren't just words on a wall; they're woven into the fabric of our work. And the impact? It's palpable. It's in the groundbreaking ideas, the laser focus on customers, and the unwavering commitment to excellence. Here's to many more days of living these principles and making a real difference! #AmazonLeadershipPrinciples #CustomerObsession #ThinkBig #HireAndDevelopTheBest #NewAtAmazon #Day1

Today marks a significant milestone in my professional journey as I am reminded of the incredible 5 years I've spent at Amazon, a company that has not only shaped my career but also my perspective on leadership and continuous learning. Joining Amazon was a turning point for me, as I had the opportunity to work and learn alongside brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds and roles. I've learned that true leadership comes from taking initiative, embracing different perspectives, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard. Amazon's emphasis on leadership principles has not only transformed the way we work but also the way we approach challenges in our personal lives. I am filled with gratitude for the invaluable learning experiences that have helped shape me as a leader. One of the key learnings that has resonated with me is the principle that leadership is not confined to a job title or position, but rather is an integral part of the lifestyle we choose to live. Reflecting upon my journey, I am humbled by the invaluable lessons I've gained from my work in DSSC, IN Prime, and BwP-MCF, where I've been part of dynamic teams pushing boundaries and delivering innovative solutions. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated and passionate individuals who have taught me so much. These experiences have not only broadened my skill set but also taught me the significance of adaptability, collaboration, and customer obsession. One of the challenges I've faced in my journey with Amazon has been adapting to the ever-evolving nature of the company. There have been times when I've felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the twists and turns, but I've learned that pushing beyond my comfort zone and embracing the opportunity to learn and grow has been essential for my personal and professional growth. In conclusion, while the past five years have been filled with challenges, they have also provided me with the necessary tools and mindset to cultivate a lifestyle of leadership that will stay with me for a lifetime. I can't wait to see what the future holds! #Leadership #Amazon #Learning #Teamwork #

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of hearing Mai-Lan Tomsen Bukovec speak to leaders in the Asians@Amazon affinity group and its allies on the topic of Direction, Protection, and Order. A perspective she shared during the session was how we could assess the velocity of a team and use that to determine how much direction, protection, or order to provide. While I was less familiar with the concept of a team’s velocity, it made a lot of sense as I heard it used. A team’s ability to execute on an ask and deliver on desired outcomes with speed helps the team gain credibility. Over time, this credibility will invariably lead to greater impact as the team is entrusted with tasks of increasing scale. Conversely, even if a team does the right thing and does it well, its effectiveness could diminish if it’s not delivering its impact at the right time or pace. While there are no sprints in fulfillment operations on which the measurement of velocity could be based on, operations teams could use the speed of its continuous improvement initiatives instead. A team that is able to drive change and improve a site’s outputs with speed will win the trust of others. It was, as always, a thought-provoking session with Mai-Lan and I appreciate her investment of time to develop leaders across different organizations within Amazon. This session couldn’t have come at a better time as I reflect on how to bring VGT1 to the next level. #amazonvestlife #diversity #velocity

Wow, what an exciting first week it's been as an Amazon Software Development Manager! In my previous post, I shared my excitement about joining the Amazon team and diving into their renowned Leadership Principles. Well, I can now say that these principles are truly embedded into the fabric of everything at Amazon. As I kicked off my onboarding, I was welcomed with a video message from none other than Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO. What struck me most was his encouragement to view the Leadership Principles not as a rigid set of rules, but as a practice to continuously work on and improve. "You never fully master the Leadership Principles, but you can always get better at practicing them," he emphasized. This really resonated with me - the idea that leadership is a lifelong journey of growth and development. And it's not just the executives who are expected to embody these principles. At Amazon, everyone is considered a leader, regardless of level or title. The principles guide every decision, process and action taken across the organization. Amazon’s obsession with the customer is also unparalleled. As a manager, I'm constantly asked to take a "customer-centric" lens - Who are my customers? How is my team's work directly benefiting them? Have we worked backwards from the customer need? It's a refreshing and inspiring way to approach my work. The level of automation and technological sophistication at Amazon is also mind-blowing. Every aspect of the business is streamlined, automated and optimized. The sheer volume of internal abbreviations (JDI, anyone?) is a testament to Amazon’s drive for efficiency. I'm only scratching the surface here, but needless to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying diving into the Amazon way of doing things. The onboarding has been incredibly comprehensive and tailored to my role, setting me up for success. I can't wait to continue learning and growing as an Amazonian. Stay tuned for more insights from my journey! 🚀 #amazon #insideamazon

Before unveiling the exciting news about my new role, I feel it's essential to bid farewell to the place where I've gained extensive knowledge over the past 3.5 years. As I conclude my tenure as the Learning Operations Manager at the TUS2 Amazon Fulfillment Center in Tucson, I find myself reflecting on a journey marked by substantial growth and invaluable connections that have profoundly shaped my professional life.   First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the exceptional team with whom I've had the privilege to work. Together, we dedicated ourselves to delivering best-in-class employee training and development, resulting in tangible enhancements in safety, quality, engagement, and overall site performance. Witnessing multiple team members earn promotions that provided them the opportunity to embrace the significant responsibility of leading their own organizations was an honor.   This role also offered a unique opportunity to directly influence numerous leaders across the organization through the creation and implementation of new leadership development programs. Guiding individuals at different stages of their career—new hires integrating into the team, promoted staff preparing for expanded responsibilities, and leaders committed to ongoing education—was truly an honor. Scaling these programs to multiple sites and impacting leadership cultures beyond the confines of TUS2 will remain one of my proudest achievements.   Additionally, my experience with Amazon allowed me to forge enduring friendships. Many of those relationships were fostered as I had the opportunity to launch and serve for two years as the President of the site's Warriors Affinity Group, where we built a community for veterans, first responders, and military families. Through the remarkable work of a dedicated team, our efforts were recognized as an Outstanding Chapter, showcasing our unwavering commitment to employee engagement and community outreach.   As I embark on a new journey that will take me down a different path, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have influenced so many and formed friendships that will always hold a special place for me. I genuinely believe that I have achieved the outcomes emphasized as a critical takeaway in every Leadership 101 class that I taught: 1) I accomplished my mission, and 2) I improved the organization. #Amazon #TUS2 #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirst #NewBeginnings #Leadership101

I celebrated 5 years at Amazon and seeing my new badge made me realize & reflect on the journey I've completed so far at Amazon. When I reflect on this milestone, I'm grateful for the lessons learned and the professional I've molded myself & grown into and all of this would not have been possible without the constant support, leadership & guidance of my leaders, mentors & peers. The Learning & Development space requires numerous stakeholders, leaders, team members to really believe in "making a difference" and Amazon has always believed in the culture of learning, growth & development which helps us to work with a purpose and vision. Here are a few valuable lessons I've learned along the way: 1- Learn & Be Curious- There is no age or level to stop learning- Learning should continue for everyone and the constant curiosity of "What Next?" would help you stay relevant in the industry 2- Growth & development is in your own hands- you need to take the steering wheel and chart out your own path, of course there are people to support and guide you along the way, but the hunger needs to come from you 3- It's always Day 1- Cultivating Day 1 Mentality for yourself and your team can help you create a lasting impact at Amazon 4- Failure sometimes is a part of the process- you need to fail to realize what not to do in the future 5- Take time out for yourself - recharge, rejuvenate & bounce back! Over these 5 years supporting L&D for Selling Partner Support & Amazon Talent Acquisition has given me the opportunity to learn & appreciate the vastness of Amazon, it's operation and what Amazon stands for in it's entirety. I am grateful to all my leaders, mentors & colleagues who have made this journey super memorable and worth it. #learnandbecurious #amazon #hireanddevelopthebest #5years #amaversary

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” — Seneca Last month, I bid farewell to my journey at Amazon. As I reflect, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude and growth. The experience has been nothing short of enlightening, challenging, and rewarding. There are many things I’ll never forget. As I move forward, three of Amazon’s Leadership Principles will continue to be integral to my professional ethos: 1. Customer Obsession - It reaffirmed to me the value of placing customer satisfaction at the core of every initiative. 2. Learn and Be Curious - It fostered an environment where I could continually question, evolve, and satiate my curiosity. 3. Insist on the Highest Standards - It instilled in me a relentless pursuit for excellence and the drive to continually raise the bar. I am excited to discover the next chapter awaiting me. Equipped with the invaluable lessons and experiences gathered during my tenure at Amazon, I know I will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Watch out world! In sincerity, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the brilliant minds I had the honor to work alongside, and to Amazon for being a phenomenal, peculiar part of my professional journey. #NewBeginnings #Gratitude #AmazonJourney #LeadershipPrinciples #LifeAtAmazon #dayone