Amazon VP On Promotions, Getting Fired Twice, Working With Bezos | Ethan Evans

The Peterman Pod

Aug 01, 2025•53 min

--:--

Listen in podcast apps:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Download

Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Summary

Former Amazon VP Ethan Evans recounts his transformative career path, from initial struggles with abrasiveness leading to two firings, to a successful rise at Amazon. He details the nuances of VP promotions, working with Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy, and Amazon's unique performance management systems like stack ranking and PIPs. Evans provides invaluable advice on developing soft skills, navigating corporate politics, and understanding the realities of leadership.

Episode description

Ethan Evans went from being fired twice because of poor soft skills to getting promoted to Vice President at Amazon with a team of over 800 engineers. I asked him about everything he learned along the way.

We discussed:

• Being fired for poor soft skills

• What VP promotions look like

• Working with Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy (current Amazon CEO)

• VP performance reviews

• Stack ranking, PIPs and how managers can fire anyone

• Advice for his younger self

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Experience before Amazon

(05:03) Getting fired twice & learnings

(14:02) Joining Amazon