Amazon CEO: Positivity Boosts Career Success

Amazon CEO: An 'Embarrassing' Amount of Your Success Depends on This One Skill

In a recent interview with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shared his "best career advice": have a positive attitude. "I think an embarrassing amount of how well you do, particularly in your 20s, has to do with attitude," Jassy, 56, said. "It's not just about being cheerful. People would be surprised [at] how infrequently people have great attitudes. I think it makes a big difference." Jassy's advice is backed up by research. A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that employees with positive attitudes are more productive, have higher levels of creativity, and are less likely to experience burnout. Here are a few ways that a positive attitude can help you succeed in your career:

You'll be more likely to take advantage of opportunities. When you have a positive attitude, you're more likely to see opportunities as challenges rather than threats. This can lead you to take on stretch assignments and training programs that can help you develop your skills and advance your career.

You'll be more productive. Employees with positive attitudes are more likely to be engaged in their work and to put in extra effort. This can lead to increased productivity and better results.

You'll be less likely to experience burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. Employees with positive attitudes are less likely to experience burnout because they're able to cope with stress more effectively.

How to Develop a Positive Attitude Developing a positive attitude takes effort, but it's worth it. Here are a few tips:

Focus on the positive aspects of your job Even if you don't love your job, there are probably some aspects of it that you enjoy. Focus on those aspects and let them motivate you.

Set realistic goals. When you set unrealistic goals, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, set goals that are challenging but achievable. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence.

Be kind to yourself. It's easy to be hard on yourself, but it's important to be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and focus on your strengths.

Surround yourself with positive people. The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your attitude. Surround yourself with positive people who will support you and encourage you.

Practice gratitude. Take some time each day to think about the things you're grateful for. This will help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and boost your mood.

How a Positive Attitude Helped Andy Jassy Succeed

Jassy was just 29 when he joined Amazon as a marketing manager in 1997. Five years into his career there, he was invited to be Bezos's first "shadow" advisor, a quasi-chief of staff who joins all of the CEO's meetings. Several of his colleagues at Amazon told him not to accept the offer, but Jassy said he chose to focus on the positive aspects of the job - and by taking it, he was able to strengthen his leadership skills. "I just figured if it wasn't something that worked out either for Jeff or for me if I tried it a few months, I could always try something else, but if it did work out, I hadn't ever heard of another job like this," he said. "And it was just an incredible experience." Jassy's experience is a reminder that a positive attitude can open doors and lead to success. If you want to succeed in your career, focus on developing a positive attitude and see how it can help you achieve your goals.

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