Amazon SDM culture?
I’m curious about the culture. In my years as SDM at non Amazon, I’ve always treated my team well and got hard work back in return. I did not micromanage, I was flexible with the team and listened to their concerns etc. Basically I was a good manager. I have a loop coming up for SDM at Amazon, and read some stories. So my question is, at Amazon will I be forced to stack rank? Is there a place for my mgmt style? or do I have to bleed the engineers dry? thanks in advance
You will be forced to stack rank, your management style depends on the team. Managers at amazon can make or break an engineers career at Amazon.
This ^ My SDM trained me in the ways of good management and drove me forward both personally and professionally, giving me a glimpse of the good that can come out of Amazon in spite of the bad reviews in other orgs.
You will contribute immensely to the rates of churn and retention.
Amazon SDMs each have their own unique management styles and there is a place for every style, though varying appreciation from the engineers and its intrinsic effectiveness. Your management style is what I appreciate in the good SDMs at Amazon. And please maintain the same style, the SDEs will like you and you will be rewarded in WLB. You make their life easier they will also make your life easier. And overall culture will be fun and supportive.
Good, that’s reassuring. thanks. What is WLB?
It’s not normally in the Amazonian Dictionary but it’s Work Life Balance and it definitely can exist.
One year as Amazon SDM will convert you inhuman!! You will mostly get cursed by employees.
Some SDMs are among the best I met! Doesn’t apply for every SDM
You won't last long. You will be pressured to make immoral decisions frequently. I've seen it happen to the best of them.
^ no not every org WLB can be challenging yes, but TC and experience make up for it (if you got a good team that supports you back)
Rating employees in buckets is not immoral. Having to manage out underperformers and mishires is not unique to Amazon. It is only immoral if you are rating people on factors other than their actual performance.
“Bleed the engineers dry” oh my dear 🍌 god