Yvonne Lee-Hawkins' Journey with Amazon
Yvonne Lee-Hawkins, currently a burnout coach, spent nearly a decade at Amazon, predominantly in the HR sphere. Over her tenure, she transitioned from managing no direct reports to overseeing 21 employees across various continents. Despite her dedication and love for Amazon, the demands of the role took a toll on her health, leading her to step away.

Starting Strong in a Fast-Paced Environment
Lee-Hawkins commenced her career at Amazon as a senior launch manager in the grocery delivery sector in 2014. Her role demanded constant travel and the swift establishment of new fulfillment centers. However, after two years, she experienced severe burnout and shifted her career trajectory to HR, where she remained for the next eight years.

A Pivot in Roles and Unforeseen Challenges
In 2022, following a stint at Blue Origin, she returned to Amazon as a program manager for business continuity amidst a major reorganization. However, she unexpectedly found herself managing two diverse teams, initially totaling 11 employees primarily based in Asia and Europe. The challenge of balancing time zones and responsibilities was significant.

The Increasing Pressure of Managing 21 Direct Reports
The situation escalated when a colleague went on maternity leave, leaving Lee-Hawkins in charge of an additional team, raising her direct reports to 21. The volume of work made it impossible to maintain the individual attention she had previously provided, leading to reduced face time with each employee.

Lessons in Leadership and Communication
Despite the challenges, Lee-Hawkins found value in her demanding role. She learned to communicate and manage more efficiently, adapting her leadership style to meet diverse cultural needs. However, the lack of personalized interaction began to impact her teams' success, leading to performance issues and the departure of valued team members.

Overwhelmed Despite Strong Managerial Skills
Lee-Hawkins noted the necessity of learned managerial skills, reflecting on her past training at Target and Amazon. Yet, even with experience, the overwhelming workload led to a decrease in job satisfaction and a feeling of bureaucratic entrapment.

Deciding to Leave and Concerns for the Future
Feeling unable to be the leader she aspired to be, Lee-Hawkins resigned in April. She expresses concerns about Amazon's upcoming decision to flatten its hierarchy, fearing similar burnout scenarios for future managers. Despite these worries, she still believes in Amazon's potential as a hub for innovation and creativity.

For more details on Yvonne Lee-Hawkins' experiences at Amazon, visit the Original Source on Business Insider.