UNIT.City — місце, де люди працюють... КРАЩЕ! Обирай свій простір просто зараз 👉
Марія БровінськаWork
13 October 2025, 14:47
2025-10-13
3 signs it's time to change jobs - advice from an AWS vice president
Colleen Aubrey, vice president of AI applications at Amazon Web Services, has been with the company for more than 20 years. She helped build Amazon’s advertising business from the ground up and is part of the company’s inner circle of top executives, the S-Team. Aubrey said she faces new challenges about every six months.
«There’s a new product idea, a new problem, a new customer to understand. It’s these constant changes that keep me motivated,» she told Business Insider.
But if you’re starting to feel like something’s not right at work, Aubrey suggests checking three key factors. If they’re «not aligning,» it might be time for a change. «If you’re not in an environment that fits these three things, it’s time to think about how to change things. When those elements align, work becomes truly inspiring,» she warns.
Colleen Aubrey, vice president of AI applications at Amazon Web Services, has been with the company for more than 20 years. She helped build Amazon’s advertising business from the ground up and is part of the company’s inner circle of top executives, the S-Team. Aubrey said she faces new challenges about every six months.
«There’s a new product idea, a new problem, a new customer to understand. It’s these constant changes that keep me motivated,» she told Business Insider.
But if you’re starting to feel like something’s not right at work, Aubrey suggests checking three key factors. If they’re «not aligning,» it might be time for a change. «If you’re not in an environment that fits these three things, it’s time to think about how to change things. When those elements align, work becomes truly inspiring,» she warns.
No. 1: The right leader
First of all, ask yourself: Are you working for someone you respect, who inspires you, and who you learn from? «It’s important that there is mutual respect between you and your manager,» explains Aubrey.
She emphasizes that leaders must provide what employees cannot get on their own: resources, clear priorities, strategic decisions, support, and a vision of the big picture.
Sometimes, even if your manager tries hard, there may not be enough chemistry between you, and the job can become demotivating. «You can just accept it and live with the disappointment. But it’s hard. Sometimes you have to move on,» she says.
No. 2: The right team
The second question is: Do you work with people you can learn from? «Does the team challenge you, or create space for creativity and innovation?» Aubrey asks.
Amazon adheres to the «two-pizza team» principle — a team should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The ideal size is 6–8 people, and such a team has full responsibility for its product from start to finish.
It is these compact, autonomous teams that, according to Aubrey, stimulate creativity and a sense of impact.
#3: The Right Part of Business
And the third question, according to Aubrey: Are you in a business that really excites you? «Think about what products, challenges, and problems you’re interested in solving. Are you in an environment that has those characteristics?»
She gives the example of a colleague who works in Amazon’s retail division—a complex and demanding field, but finds satisfaction in improving logistics and optimizing costs.
Aubrey herself says she is inspired by «X-factor growth”—working on areas that have the potential for exponential growth. «I like starting from scratch,» she adds.
Conclusion
In short, Aubrey advises answering three questions honestly from time to time:
Do you have the right manager?
Are you on the right team?
Are you working on what really drives you?
If even one answer is «no,» it may be time to reconsider your path.
Claude Code reduced the project from 3 weeks to 2 days, but at the risk of complete collapse. Former Google VP of Engineering Tried the AI Tool and Here’s His Verdict
