Celebrate Failures!

today, when companies recruit talent, academic backgrounds or degrees from top-tier institutions are no longer the only deciding factors. increasingly, employers are looking for individuals who can thrive in dynamic, evolving work environments.at amazon, our hiring process goes beyond matching candidates to specific job roles. every applicant is evaluated against 16 core leadership principles to assess not only their technical capability but also their potential fit across a range of positions.we place strong emphasis on qualities such as big-picture thinking, a hunger for learning, and a knack for innovation. technical skills matter, but adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace change often matter more. those who demonstrate these traits tend to grow rapidly within the organization.one of the defining features of our culture is that we celebrate failures. why? because failure is often the byproduct of ambition and experimentation. it signals risk-taking—something we actively encourage. failures teach us more than success ever could, and they pave the way for growth, innovation, and resilience.trying new approaches, accepting setbacks, and learning quickly are essential skills—especially when working with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence. at amazon, learning doesn't happen in formal classrooms. our employees learn through experimentation, competition, and practical exposure. this experiential model fosters deeper understanding and long-term growth.there is a growing myth that ai will eliminate the need for coding or even replace jobs entirely. the truth is, ai will redefine roles, not remove them. foundational knowledge, such as coding, remains crucial. even if ai can write code, how can an engineer address complex problems or optimize systems without understanding the logic behind it?interestingly, individuals with average iqs often outperform high-iq counterparts simply because they are more open to learning, unlearning, and relearning.at amazon, we are committed to building our own ai tools tailored to our needs rather than relying on external platforms. this requires significant investment—but also reflects our belief in creating intuitive, powerful tools for everyone.finally, life skills—like resilience, mental wellness, clear communication, and learning from failure—must be cultivated early. our education system should make these as central as academic knowledge.-- deepti verma, vice president, pxt, amazon stores india and japan