Here is part-2 of my reflections and insights gained through the incredible journey of starting, building, and launching Amazon Q Developer.
Reflections and insights from my 3yr journey (part 1).
I was planning to talk about “team” but before that, have one more.
6/ Think bigger and question status quo on behalf of the customer. As you explore the state of the art and the art of the possible, even if you weren’t the original ideator or initiator, ask yourself “why not?” and “what else?”. This approach can help you examine a problem from a fresh perspective. Reusable spaceships, fully autonomous vehicles, and the iPhone all came to fruition because someone dared to ask “why not?” and “what else?”.
Here are some of my reflections and insights regarding the concept of “team”.
7/ Do what it takes and gradually address any shortcomings, while simultaneously strengthening the team. Never say “that’s not my job”. Take the initiative to solve problems, and be willing to fill any and every role required – from bringing coffee to the team, to communicating with customers, to assisting engineers with deployments and debugging. No task should be considered off-limits. While doing this, be attentive to identifying and addressing any gaps that need to be filled for the benefit of the team.
8/ Incentives drive behavior; care for your team both personally and professionally. Everyone operates in the framework of ax + by + cz, ‘x’ being product (technology), ‘y’ being people (team) and ‘z’ being profit (career and life). Based on the stage of life, the coefficients (incentives) a, b, and c, keep changing and are very personal. Understanding these incentives of your teammates is crucial. By recognizing what motivates your team members, you can better align their goals with the organization’s objectives, fostering a more engaged and productive workforce.
9/ Know who you can depend on. Look at the entire sphere – reports, partners, peers and bosses – and identify who you can depend on. These are the people with whom you can discuss and review critical decisions. You can expect them to get things done, regardless of the circumstances. These are the people to whom you can reveal your vulnerabilities without hesitation.
10/ Empower the team. Coach and guide the team, establish a clear vision and strategy, and make decisive decisions for the team. Removing barriers is essential for maximizing team productivity and output quality. This enables prompt delivery of valuable solutions to customers.
11/ Be humble and show respect. Be open to and actively seek feedback from others. Regularly create opportunities to give credit and share recognition with your team. Share personal stories that highlight your own mistakes or failures, demonstrating a willingness to be vulnerable. Embrace a mindset of humility by openly admitting when there are gaps in your knowledge.
