Angelique Lambert-Watkins’ Post

🌟 I joined Amazon in 2020, and from Day 1, I have had the incredible pleasure of working with Amazon North America and India, even helping to pivot a new department as one of its founding members during the challenging times of Covid. During those difficult days, Amazon came to me as a ray of sunshine, providing me with the opportunity to work and learn each and every day. 🌟 What truly sets Amazon apart is its unwavering commitment to high standards and customer obsession. Every day at Amazon is a new learning opportunity, where I discovered new tools, procedures, and processes. The daily challenges were always fascinating, almost like playing a GOD of War game where each level teaches you something new, and just like Kratos, my skillset and individuality grew as I adapted. 🎮💪 As I reflect on nearly 4 years at Amazon, it still feels like yesterday when I started this incredible journey. I've had my fair share of failures and mistakes, questioned some of my decisions , and faced dichotomy quite often with conflicting opinions. Supervised a team. Revamped an existing process. From creating dashboard to implementing governance mechanisms, I've constantly learned, overcome, and adapted to the challenges which came in my way. I'm immensely grateful to Amazon and my wonderful team for their unwavering support. Thank you, Amazon, for providing me with the growth I desired. 🙏❤️ As this month marks my last month with Amazon, I feel an immense amount of gratitude. I am excited to embark on a new adventure at the University of Exeter. Exciting times lie ahead, and I can't wait to unravel what the future holds! 🚀🎓 Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey. Onwards and upwards! 🌠 #AmazonJourney #NewBeginnings #CareerGrowth #ThankYouAmazon #Gratitude #TeamSupport #CustomerObsession #HighStandards #LearningEveryDay #ExcitingTimes #UniversityOfExeter #NextAdventure #ProfessionalGrowth #FarewellAmazon #OnwardsAndUpwards #NewOpportunities

This week, I stand at a monumental crossroads of my career with Amazon, reflecting on the incredible journey of 2190 days as a proud Amazonian. Looking back to when I began as a Tier 1 associate 6 years ago, it's spectacular to think that anyone suggesting I would go that far.Yet, here I am, a testament to the limitless possibilities that unfold when we embrace dedication and dream big. 🚀🌟. it was a decision that set in motion an incredible saga filled with growth, challenges, and boundless opportunities. With each passing year, I've had the privilege of involving myself in the unique of six different Amazon buildings, each contributing of my understanding of Amazon's operations. Looking back, I'm grateful for every moment that has shaped me into who I am today. The heart of my career lies in mentorship and leadership. Guiding individuals toward success and helping them realize their potential brings me great joy. As I've embraced new challenges, I've learned that the path to success is paved with dedication, resilience, and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone. It's not the absence of challenges that define us, but how we rise above them. As I embark on this next chapter of my Amazon journey, I am excited to create a future where every challenge is an opportunity and where we continue to make history, because on Amazon, it's always Day 1. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible ride. Here's to more milestones, more growth, and more exciting challenges ahead! and let us have Fun 😎 🚀🌟 #Amazon #AmazonJourney #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Mentorship #AlwaysDay1 #managment #challange #journeyofgrowth #history #ONT8 #thankyou #learning #amazonlife #amazonjobs #promotion #amazonsquad #L7 #successstories #amazonvestlife #amazonday1 #goal #promoted #managment #future #creativity #careers #motivation #humanresources #family #inspiration #leadership #creativity #successstories #linkdinfamily

After an incredible 4.7 years, the last day at Amazon has arrived. Grateful for the challenges, growth, and camaraderie I've experienced during this journey. Huge thanks to my colleagues and mentors for making this chapter unforgettable. Excited for what the future holds. Onward to new adventures! #NextChapter #ThankYouAmazon" #AmazonJourney #alwaysday1 #NewBeginnings"

Today marks the end of my #Amazon adventure. Amazon, to me, has been more than a workplace; it's been a community of driven, sharp, and heartwarmingly intelligent individuals who thrive on challenges. What sets them apart is not just their commitment to the highest standards but also the readiness to lend a hand whenever it's needed. Leaving a job where I've crossed paths with amazing souls, generously sharing their knowledge, was not an easy decision. My decision to leave is because of the #RTO mandate. Driving 2-3 hours 3x a week prompted me to reevaluate how I could contribute best to my team, my customers, and my family. Looking back on my journey, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and lessons learned. Here are top 3 insights for those interested in Amazon: 🌟 Be Customer Obsessed: It's not just a buzzword; it is the soul of Amazon. Whether gearing up for an interview or starting, let working backward from the customer be your North Star. 📈 Be the CEO of Your Career: Unlike other companies, here you're the captain steering your career ship. Take charge of the freedom to decide WHAT you want to do and HOW you want to do it. It comes with ambiguity, but within it, lies a trove of opportunities. 🤝 Build Your Tribe: Collaboration is the heartbeat at Amazon. Don't shy away from connecting with leaders at all levels—they're friends ready to support your success. Seek mentorship and soak in the collective wisdom around you. A heartfelt shoutout to my leaders and teammates at Amazon, especially Zac Lochner, PhD, CFEI, CRE, Lisa Gutermuth, Dajan Zvekic, Bruce Worthington, Michael Sukovich, Ben Shukman, Yvette Zhao, Tiffani Quan, Adam Lassiter, Jonathan Micklos, Brian Dai, Adrian Mitrea, Andrea Cloutier, Tatiana Suslova, MBA, Sacha Holland, Albert Nguyen, Allen Brown, Farooq Hussaini, Sandeep Karandikar. Grateful for your support as I set sail into the next phase of my career. It's always Day 1! #Amazon #CareerJourney #Gratitude

New Year, but it's always Day 1. ✨ 🚀 You might hear Amazonians say 'it's still Day 1' but what do we mean? At its core, Day 1 isn't just a catchphrase; it's our unwavering commitment towards a relentless focus on customers, a dedication to creating lasting value over short-term results, and the courage to make bold bets that shape the future. 🔮 In the realm of Day 1, customers are our priority. And we're not just customer-focused, we're customer-obsessed. 💯 It's about being deeply curious, nimble, and unafraid to experiment. Because it's only Day 1, failure isn't a setback, it's a crucial step towards betterment. 📈 Here's to a New Year filled with taking bold risks, not being afraid to fail, and putting the right people first—whether that is yourself, your business, customers, or family—and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that propels you into uncharted territories. 🥂 🌟

10 Years at Amazon: From "Add to Cart" to "Added to Heart" They say time flies when you're having fun, and I must've been having a blast because I blinked, and a whole decade at Amazon zoomed by! Ten years back, I strolled into Amazon's universe with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store, inadvertently hitting "send all" on an email that ignited a whole office buzz. Flash forward to today, and I find myself seamlessly weaving Amazon's leadership principles into conversations at home – yes, even with my toddler who seems to believe my keyboard doubles as a drum kit. From being part of the foundational crew that steered Amazon's ship in India to juggling diverse roles and leading projects that have more acronyms than a texting teenager, it's safe to say that this journey has been anything but ordinary. It's been a whirlwind of growth, innovation, midnight brainstorming sessions, and just the right dash of organized chaos. As I reflect on these 10 years, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the growth opportunities, the friendships forged, and the chance to be part of a company that not only delivers packages but also dreams. Here’s to the next chapter of endless possibilities, laughter, growth, and sharing wisdom with my little one, one keyboard drumbeat at a time! #10YearsAtAmazon #AmazonAnniversary #AWhirlwindDecade

Five years has never passed so quickly. I remember interviewing for my first role at Amazon and being asked "Why Amazon?" Obviously, there are tons of reasons and ways to explain why Amazon. Just to start the list: 1) the chance to work at an innovative, world-class company, 2) the opportunity to work at the most customer-centric company, 3) entering a culture that challenges my brain to level up and my ego to get a little smaller, 4) getting to bring my dog to work… the list goes on. I decided to answer with what mattered most to me. "I want to go somewhere where I can plant roots and still be challenged to stretch and grow every day. I want novelty and the option to build my career in new directions while I continue to grow as a professional and the ability to do that all within one company." Mission accomplished. I've learned, stretched, and grown in more ways than I could have imagined since onboarding. Last year on my Amaversary, I offered up four lessons for four years at Amazon. This year my advice is be audacious, tenacious, and humble. Have the audacity to think you can learn and do new things, the tenacity to hang in there through the discomfort of learning, and the humbleness to understand you will always be learning. I'm grateful for all of the learnings, experiences, and connections these past 5 years have brought. Excited for all the learnings that will come with my yellow-badge era. #Amazon #Amaversary #5years #yellowbadge

Tomorrow I start a new position with Amazon and, as part of that, this little kit is getting retired. I know it looks dirty, but it's actually smelling of fabric softener. It's just stained from hours and hours on the floor with the team (and with the parcels). Those stains are both whitenesses and the consequence of a long journey, one that I am very proud of. Three years ago, when I joined, I started developing a process. It started "on paper", but then I went to the floor and tested it. It could be better. I improved it, tried it again. I could be better. I improved it again and we went on this dance for a while. I got to know it inside out, until I knew it so well, I felt comfortable to share it, teach it. I knew anyone could do it and I knew exactly what it still needed to be better. At this point, with the suport of the most phenomenal team, we created a road map to scale it. A lot of tech involved to address all those opportunities I knew all too well and my "baby process" transformed into something much biger, much greater and much beter than that first draft and it will continue to do so over the next year. This high-vis helped me on this great journey of professional growth and, despite never thinking I would say this, I will miss wearing orange. Those stains? Well, they are proof of how hands on I am, but also proof of the diference that a perseverant Compliance Manager and 3 years can make. We part ways, my process and I, but just so we can both keep growing, scalling, changing and evolving. I am in peace knowing I leave it on the best hands possible. Thank you to all my co-workers (and friends) who made the past 3 years so amazing. I am sure (and hope) our paths will cross again. And now, I start afresh. <3 #orangeisthenewblack #amazon #highvislife #handson #thankyou #peccy #AmazonShipping

I’m not much of a LinkedIn poster (by the fact this is my first ever one), but for my wider network who may not be aware, it would be wonderful to share the big career news. After 2,980 “Day Ones” as is said at Amazon, or just over 8 years, last Friday was my final day at the company. What an unbelievable first education into my professional working life it has been, across operations and then Learning & Development, where I truly believe I have found my ‘profession’. For those who I worked with, both inside Amazon and externally as an Amazon employee, I wanted to say THANK YOU. The experiences have helped me learn an incredible amount and has made me the professional, colleague, stakeholder, friend and person I am today. I got the chance to work with so many amazing leaders whose stories I’ll be telling for many years to come. My decision to leave Amazon was incredibly tough. Having reflected, I recognise that it may be a surprise, as someone who (tried) to embed the peculiar culture of Amazon in their everyday engagements. The truth is that, for me, 2023 was a shift in how I engaged with the Amazon culture around me. After 8 years, maybe that’s natural. But the feeling changed. Like many of my Amazon connects here, there were rollercoaster periods, but the dips always pushed me forward, ready for the next big climb. I reached a chapter where I couldn’t see that next big climb, or what I could see was not right for me at that moment in time. So to continue my professional development, I felt it’s time to try a different ride! I’m really quite terrified, Amazon is all I have known. But, I am SO excited about starting a new chapter, experiencing new organisations and cultures, and taking some big risks. And I have Amazon to thank for making me think this way. I’ll be back one day, Amazon, with more experience, better skills and fresh ideas. Until then, it’s a thank you, and see you soon… it’s been a blast. For now, time for some R&R (Roasts and Rum) before a new year and new start!

Yes, promotions often depend on "luck". But, there are a lot of things that go behind making that "luck". Make sure you are doing those things and more often than not, things will fall in place. Back at Amazon, I had a friend who skyrocketed to SDM within 4-5 years of joining as an SDE-1. That's two promotions + 1 Role change. Everybody used to discuss how he got lucky by being part of a rocketship product, having a good manager, growing org etc. What most people missed were the parts where he made his own luck. Within the first few months of his joining, lot of senior folks left the team. He spent numerous nights solving Sev-2 production issues without much support or knowledge base. He even got embarrassed quite a few times because of his lack of knowledge of the product. He took all of that in his stride and ensured that he took ownership of the product and did everything he could to stabilise the team and product. He could have easily left the team (its so damn easy to switch internally in Amazon) but he chose the hard path of sticking around. Within few months, he was the de-facto owner of the product from the Tech side. TPMs would go to him to understand the features and functioning of the product. Engineers from other teams/ new hires started joining the team and took him as the leader of the tribe. Amazon being an impact driven company, rewarded all this by promoting him twice in 3 years and he got the role change as he was leading the team anyway. Luck is important but making your own luck is even more important. For guidance, check out: https://lnkd.in/gkM5u_Er #Leadership #Promotions #Growing #Amazon #Luck