Amazon’s Leadership Overhaul: Fewer Bosses, More Autonomy

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is leading a major restructuring effort aimed at downsizing middle management, a move designed to enhance efficiency and empower employees. By reducing excessive layers of supervision, Amazon hopes to streamline decision-making and encourage a culture where employees take greater ownership of their work. Jassy highlighted how an increasing number of middle managers can slow down processes by unnecessarily adding their "fingerprints on everything".

The restructuring aligns Amazon with broader industry trends, as tech giants like Google and Meta are also cutting back on managerial layers. Jassy explained that excessive management often leads to pre-meetings before pre-meetings, creating inefficiencies and delaying key decisions. The goal is to eliminate redundant processes, allowing employees to work more independently and with greater responsibility.

This shift has been particularly welcomed by Gen Z employees, who prefer flexibility and self-management over traditional hierarchical structures. According to a survey by Robert Walters recruitment firm, 52% of Gen Z workerswould rather not take on middle management roles, while 72% favor career growth without becoming supervisors. Amazon’s new approach offers them the autonomy they value, fostering an ownership-driven work culture.

Despite these internal shifts, Amazon remains steadfast in its return-to-office (RTO) policy, requiring employees to work five days a week in person. AWS CEO Matt Garman supports this approach, arguing that innovation thrives in face-to-face environments. However, the policy has faced resistance, with some employees expressing dissatisfaction through letters to leadership or “rage applying” for new jobs.

The reduction in middle management is part of a growing corporate trend known as "conscious unbossing." This strategy focuses on developing employees as independent contributors rather than relying on traditional managerial oversight. Many organizations are adopting similar models to encourage personal growth and efficiency while minimizing bureaucratic delays.

Amazon’s leadership remains firm on both the managerial downsizing and RTO policy, despite some employee pushback. The company believes that reducing supervisory roles will create a more agile workforce, allowing teams to move faster and innovate more effectively.

As the workplace evolves, Amazon’s strategy could set a precedent for other corporations, redefining leadership structures and workplace culture for the digital age. The future of work may see fewer traditional managers, with employees playing a more active role in shaping their own careers.