Since the late ’90s, a series of lucky executives at Amazon have gotten an unbelievable opportunity to advance their careers. One person at Amazon
always has a coveted job with nearly unlimited access to CEO Jeff Bezos, according to Bloomberg Businessweek’s Brad Stone.The job is officially called the technical assistant or advisor, and is unofficially known as Bezos’ “shadow.” They follow, travel, and go to meetings with Bezos, and frequently meet at the end of workdays.
The role means Bezos
gets to know high-potential executives better than he otherwise might and gets a much-needed source of support and a second opinion. The shadows get an extraordinary mentor. Since 2003, when the position became more formalized, a series of Amazon executives have served one- to two-year terms.