CEO Andy Jassy Shares What's Kept Him At Amazon For 28 Years

Forbes

20-04-2025

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy speaks during a keynote address at AWS re:Invent 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In a revealing shareholder letter, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently explained his reasons for staying for nearly three decades. When Jassy joined Amazon in 1997, he never imagined he'd still be there 28 years later. In fact, he used to tell friends that staying at one company for decades, like his father, who worked at the same place for 45 years, "would never be me."
Yet in his 2024 letter to shareholders, Jassy celebrates Amazon's impressive financial performance and offers a candid explanation of what has kept him at the e-commerce giant for so long. "I'm obviously a Superfan," Jassy writes before detailing three compelling reasons for his loyalty to Amazon—insights that provide valuable perspective for any business leader or professional contemplating their career path.
Before diving into Jassy's motivations, it's important to understand Amazon's "Why Culture." This mindset forms the foundation of Amazon's approach to business and innovation. "Amazon is a Why company," Jassy explains. "We ask why, and why not, constantly. It helps us deconstruct problems, get to root causes, understand blockers, and unlock doors that might have previously seemed impenetrable." This persistent questioning has sparked many of Amazon's most transformative innovations—from expanding beyond books to creating the Kindle, launching AWS, developing Prime Video, and implementing Buy with Prime.
So, what keeps a talented executive at the same company for nearly three decades? Jassy shares three specific reasons:
"I'm not sure that any company prioritizes customers as relentlessly as we do," Jassy writes. "Lots of companies say they will; few follow through." This statement isn't just corporate rhetoric. Amazon's customer-centric approach has consistently earned it top rankings in customer satisfaction according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). A customer-first strategy also drives financial success. According to Accenture research, companies that focus their entire organization on delivering exceptional experiences for customers, employees and society grow their profitability year-over-year at rates at least six times higher than their industry peers.
Career development tip:
Consider how customer-centricity shows up in your organization. Companies that genuinely prioritize customer value creation offer more meaningful and sustainable career opportunities. When evaluating current or future employers, look beyond flashy mission statements to examine actual decision-making processes. Working where your daily efforts directly improve customers' lives creates a deeper sense of purpose and builds marketable skills that remain valuable across industries and roles.
"It's challenging to find a company where you can make a bigger impact on the world than you can at Amazon," Jassy notes. The scale of Amazon's operations gives employees the opportunity to work on projects that affect millions—sometimes billions—of people. From revolutionizing how people shop to transforming how businesses build technology infrastructure through AWS, Amazon's reach extends globally.
Career development tip:
Evaluate the broader impact of your work. Does your organization provide opportunities to create significant change? The satisfaction that comes from seeing your work positively affect others can be a powerful reason to stay with a company. Even in smaller organizations, look for roles where your contributions directly improve products, services, or experiences that matter to people. This sense of purpose at work is often more fulfilling than a paycheck alone.
Jassy's third reason highlights Amazon's commitment to the long game. "We make significant long-term investments and bets in both inventions and people," Jassy shares. "This allows our teams to iterate on ideas, and make the right long-term decisions for customers and the company." This philosophy starkly contrasts the obsession with quarterly results that drives many public companies. McKinsey research shows that companies with a long-term orientation outperform their peers, with 47% higher revenue growth and 36% higher earnings growth. This approach has allowed Amazon to develop groundbreaking innovations that might have been abandoned under short-term pressure.
Career development tip:
When planning your career path, assess whether your organization invests in both ideas and people. Companies that commit to employee development and provide teams with time to develop innovative concepts typically create more fulfilling work environments. When evaluating potential employers, look beyond immediate opportunities to their track record of nurturing talent over time. Organizations that view employees as long-term assets rather than disposable resources generally offer better growth opportunities, leading to greater job satisfaction.
While Jassy lists three core reasons for his longevity at Amazon, he adds a fourth that is just as important. 'I've never encountered a more intelligent, creative, ambitious, hungry, hard-working, and missionary group of teammates than we have at Amazon,' he writes. The quality of your colleagues significantly impacts your work satisfaction. A study by Gallup found that having a best friend at work strongly correlates with engagement and productivity. While you don't necessarily need a 'best" friend, working alongside talented, motivated colleagues who share your values can make challenging work even more rewarding.
Career development tip:
When evaluating career opportunities, pay close attention to the people you'll be working with. Try to meet potential teammates to assess whether their values and work ethic align with yours. The caliber and character of your co-workers often determine your daily experience more than any other factor. Even the most prestigious role can become unbearable with toxic colleagues, while challenging work becomes energizing alongside people who inspire and support you.
The most striking aspect of Jassy's reflection is how it illustrates the power of finding cultural alignment. When his father tried to persuade him to work somewhere more traditional shortly after joining Amazon in 1997, Jassy realized he'd "already found the perfect fit." Finding an organization whose approach aligns with your own can transform work from merely a job into a long-term calling. As you reflect on your career, consider whether your current company's values are consistent with yours. If not, perhaps it's time to ask yourself, "why not?" and explore what environment might better match your values and aspirations.