Voyager Talks

David Zapolsky discusses being hired as the only litigator at Amazon in 1999, how the legal department has transformed and stayed the same, Amazon’s leadership principles maintaining their culture, how showing ownership and curiosity allow employees to rise in organizations, a typical day at the office, and reminding himself he’s working on some of the most interesting and challenging business problems in the world.

Listen to the end to gain insight into David’s recent effort to sleep more and his advice to make your own luck by choosing roles where you’ll be happier and do your best work instead of resume-building.

Top Three Takeaways:

#1 Employees can set themselves up for success by going beyond the job description and showing ownership, displaying interest in other parts of the company and other ways of doing things, and being great communicators (both in general and within the style of the organization.)

#2 David told us about Jeff Bezos’ habit of waiting to speak until everyone has shared their view to hear unvarnished opinions and be careful not to influence ideas. Anyone in a position of power (whether a senior executive, manager, or teacher) should be aware of the impact of speaking too early and have the humility to admit they might not have the best solution. This connects to how David adjusted to be a leader; he first identified what he didn’t know. Having the humility to ask questions, admit you don’t have all the answers, and listen intently to others is a recurring theme in this series and is something we can all aim to improve.

#3 The way you make your own luck is by putting yourself in roles that bring you fulfillment. If you know the prestigious, high-paying, resume-building job isn’t right for you, choose the job that your gut tells you will put you on the path to fulfillment. You do your best work when you’re happy, which is how you make connections and impressions on people that lead to future opportunities and success.

Potential next steps: Research Amazon leadership principles and consider if I want to try and implement one or two of them into my own habits. Read Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker and consider changes to my own sleep routine. And Subscribe to Voyager Talks & follow on Instagram or LinkedIn for updates on new episodes!

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David Zapolsky is Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Amazon. He’s been with the company for 21 years and was named General Counsel in 2012. Prior to joining Amazon, he worked at multiple firms in New York and Seattle as well as the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. David currently serves of multiple boards including the Alliance for Education, University of Washington Foundation, and the King County Bar Foundation. He is a graduate of Berkley Law and Columbia College.

Today we’re joined by David Billstrom, the CEO of Kitsbow Cycling Apparel, which manufactures 100% of their clothing in Old Fort, North Carolina. David tells us about being forced to shut down his first business, producing 120,000 face masks during the pandemic, a big failure and success with the 45 companies he’s been involved in, being a mediocre investor, why businesses should be involved in their community, and more.

Listen to the end to gain insight into David’s new practice of asking questions rather than making statements, and his 3 step plan for finding a job that includes not applying for jobs.

Top Three Takeaways:

While a manager at Intel, David got an 'MBA' on the street. He would study business books at night and try to apply the principles at the office. Being curious is one of the greatest traits a person can have (and something we can all aim to improve.)

Failures are the only way you learn. The successes are so dramatically influenced by luck and timing that it allows you to take credit when it’s not warranted.

David has recently been trying to ask questions instead of making statements. Particularly as a CEO, an incredible power is unlocked from asking these types of questions; you get more nuanced answers and create an environment where new ideas and possibilities can come to the surface.

PLUS David’s advice for finding a job: Use the power of the internet to research and find companies with a culture and values that are aligned with your own, as well as a boss you can learn and gain insight from, and ignore the actual job description.

Thank you all for listening and please remember to subscribe to the show and follow on Instagram @Voyager.Talks or LinkedIn for updates on new episodes!

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Voyager.Talks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zevcarlyle/

Today we’re joined by Mary Kipp, the CEO of Puget Sound Energy, the oldest and largest utility in Washington State with over 3,200 employees and $3 billion in revenue. We discuss Mary’s journey from growing up on a cattle farm to majoring in theater, and being a prosecuting attorney before going in-house at El Paso Electric. She tells us how she rose in the ranks at El Paso Electric to become CEO, about her own leadership style and traits of great leaders, the most challenging parts of her job, and her deep commitment to fighting climate change as well as the personal impact of having those higher level goals. If you stay until the end, you’ll also hear which new belief has most improved Mary’s life in recent years along with her advice for college students.

Top Three Takeaways:

Thank you all for listening and please remember to subscribe to the show/write a review if you enjoyed and follow on Instagram @Voyager.Talks or LinkedIn for updates on new episodes! - Zev

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Voyager.Talks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zevcarlyle/

Podcast Home: https://bit.ly/VoyagerTalksHome

Friends, I'm so excited you're here at Voyager Talks. We dive into the journey and insight of today's top business, political, and community leaders as well as their advice for college students. If you're curious about different careers and industries, fascinated by the various roads to success, and interested in advice and wisdom, Voyager Talks is for you. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy these incredible life stories and advice as much as I have! - Zev