Learn from the best - Jeff Bezos
Answering difficult questions is an art, emotions are good, relationships give meaning to life
Jeff Bezos gave an interview at the New York Times1. Highlights below.
Answering difficult questions
Bezos answers one difficult question after another. It is a masterclass in answering controversial questions. Reed Hastings does this well too.
About the Washington Post not endorsing a presidential candidate
Bezos had written an entire op-ed about his decision not to endorse a candidate. At the beginning of the interview, he is asked the same question, and he goes on to answer it, again2. Bezos sticks to the same points made in the op-ed and patiently answers the question.
About Trump and Musk
Bezos had a positive spin on both answers. He answered both questions without saying anything negative about two people who are perceived as his ‘not-friends’ publicly.
Important things in life
Relationships
One of the highlights of Bezos’ space trip was his friends and family seeing him off.
The meaning of life is in your relationships and uplifting people(small or large scale).
Salary
Bezos took an 80k annual salary at Amazon. When asked about it, he talks about how he already owned 20% of Amazon and did not need any more incentive.
Convictions
Be open to changing your position and opinions, but go the distance for important things. He wanted to do ‘Fulfilled by Amazon’ no matter what. I have heard a similar story about Prime as well.
Emotions
Sadness, fear, anxiety, and anger are all useful emotions, and expressing them makes relationships intimate. And can help at work too.
Why Blue Origin(space travel)?
One of the outcomes Beezos talks about is that we can then set up polluting industries outside Earth. Everything is better in the world today than it was in the past - save for nature. There is only one Earth3 and there is no option B.
Work
Prepare well for your meetings, but have messy discussions.
Leadership is about identifying big ideas, enforcing tough execution, and growing the next generation of leaders.
AI
You cannot think of a single application that cannot be made better with AI.4
Quotes
I have had a lot of success in life not being cynical
Generally, human nature to overestimate risk and underestimate reward
Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy
Follow your curiosity
I am a 60 year old man, but my parents still worry about me
Expect 50% of your work to be fun. Expecting 100% of your work to be fun will lead to disappointment.
Note to self. Be okay to repeat yourself. Also, it is 50% of your job as a parent!
I like this reason for space travel much more than multi-planetary colonization or Plan B for when Earth becomes uninhabitable.
AI gets its own standalone section. You know why!