Ex-Amazon VP tells us what it’s really like working with Jeff Bezos

“Was his taste good? His taste was great. It doesn't mean he didn't make mistakes. We know about the Firephone, $170 million of write-off just for the hardware that got thrown in a dumpster, let alone all the opportunity cost. But he was generally right. He fought the right battle on Kindle.”

“He started to believe his vision was perfect. And that's what led to the Firephone disaster. So he's probably learned this lesson, but I would say realize that being really smart and really right and having the courage of your convictions can lead you as CEO to eventually drive the company off a cliff.”

“Is there a tip in how to do that? There is. It comes from a book a little bit less known called Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute. But basically, you have to see the person as a human, not as a machine to fix.”

“And also, he's right like all the time. And Jeff was like that. I mean, I've read the Everything Store. I've read some books about him. Now we're talking to you. It seems like he's just mostly nailed it. Yeah, I think that's true. And look, if Jeff called me and wanted me to take a job for him tomorrow, I would stop what I'm doing and go do it because I respect him that much and his ability.”