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Former Amazon VP Shares Brutal Truth About Promotions: Pushy People Win
Ethan Evans says employees who advocate for themselves are more likely to get ahead.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:23pm
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Ethan Evans, a former Amazon vice president, says that 'pushy' employees who vocalize their needs and career goals are more likely to be promoted or spared during company layoffs, even if their performance is similar to quieter colleagues. Evans advises workers to actively advocate for themselves rather than relying on the 'work hard and hope to be noticed' strategy.
Why it matters
Evans' comments provide a rare insider's perspective on the realities of corporate advancement, where self-promotion and assertiveness can sometimes outweigh pure job performance. This insight is especially relevant as Amazon and other tech giants undergo major restructuring and layoffs, forcing employees to compete for a shrinking number of roles.
The details
According to Evans, two employees with similar performance could have very different outcomes during a company reorganization or layoff. The worker who is more vocal about their career goals and needs is more likely to be prioritized, even if the quieter employee is just as capable. Evans says this is because managers often focus on saving the people they know want certain roles, rather than those they assume 'will be fine.' He advises employees to actively share their work and make their career desires known, rather than hoping to be noticed.
- Evans retired from Amazon in 2020.
- Amazon has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs so far in 2026, cutting 16,000 employees in January.
The players
Ethan Evans
A former vice president at Amazon who recently shared career advice in an interview.
Jeff Bezos
The CEO of Amazon, whom Evans worked under during his time at the company.
What they’re saying
“There is some truth to the old saying, 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease.' This is another harsh truth people don't like.”
— Ethan Evans, Former Amazon VP
“It's not that I mean to screw you. I'm focused on saving this other person, and I know you'll put up with it. You can end up behind just because you're such a nice guy.”
— Ethan Evans, Former Amazon VP
“What's inevitable is I have some people who have been more vocal about what they want in their career than others. Perhaps I'm arranging the reorg just because I know what some people want and I don't know what others want, so I assume they'll be fine. That's the most benign version.”
— Ethan Evans, Former Amazon VP
What’s next
Evans has previously shared other career tips with Business Insider, including advice on upgrading resumes and lessons learned from working under Jeff Bezos.
The takeaway
Evans' comments highlight the importance of self-advocacy in corporate environments, especially during times of uncertainty and restructuring. While hard work is important, employees who actively promote their skills and career goals may have an advantage over more passive colleagues, even if their performance is similar.
