Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has a unique approach to leadership and decision-making. He believes in operating in the future rather than focusing on the present. This forward-thinking mindset is a key factor in Amazon's success.

Photo: Yuri Gripas
A Future-Focused Team
Bezos ensures that all his senior executives share his vision.
"All of our senior executives operate the same way I do. They work in the future, they live in the future"
This means that none of them are overly concerned with the current quarter's performance. Instead, they are planning and working on what will happen years down the line.
The Long-Term View
When Amazon has a good quarterly result, Wall Street often praises Bezos. "People will stop me and say, congratulations on your quarter. And I say, thank you," he explains. But in his mind, he's already thinking ahead. "That quarter was baked three years ago. Right now, I'm working on a quarter that's gonna reveal itself in 2021 sometime."
This long-term perspective is crucial. Bezos believes that to be successful, you need to plan two or three years in advance. By doing this, you can anticipate changes, innovate, and stay ahead of the competition.
Quality Over Quantity
Bezos also emphasizes the importance of making high-quality decisions.
"Why do I need to make 100 decisions a day? If I make like three good decisions a day, that's enough. And they should just be as high quality as I can make them"
This approach allows him to focus on what truly matters and ensure that each decision is well thought out and impactful.
The Impact of Future Thinking
This strategy has clearly paid off for Amazon. By always looking ahead, Bezos and his team have been able to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. This future-focused mindset has helped Amazon grow from a small online bookstore to one of the largest and most influential companies in the world.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos' approach to leadership is all about living and working in the future. By focusing on long-term goals and making high-quality decisions, he has led Amazon to incredible success. His strategy is a valuable lesson for anyone looking to achieve great things: always plan ahead and prioritize quality over quantity.
Listen to Jeff Bezos:
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