Jeff Bezos took 60 meetings to raise Amazon’s first $1 million. Now worth $361 billion, he says the cure for stress is to ‘take the first step’

In 2017, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos expressed that stress often arises from not acting on problems. Describing his own experience, Bezos stated that his anxiety lessens as soon as he takes the first step. Bezos, who now has a net worth of $361 billion, recalled having to make 60 meetings to raise Amazon's initial $1 million funding.

Instead of allowing stress to overwhelm him, Bezos uses it as motivation. He advises seeking allies to help with problem-solving, which transforms anxiety-inducing situations into enjoyable ones. Bezos believes that this collaborative approach makes problem-solving both inspiring and fun. He encourages using Amazon's 16 leadership principles, which he insists must constantly be applied to maintain effectiveness.

While Bezos' strategy is to push forward, other business leaders have diverse methods for managing stress. Former Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan relies on meditation, exercise, and family time to avoid burnout, emphasizing the importance of balance. Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun practices emotional control, pausing to assess situations before responding, fostering a stable and motivated team.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella approaches stress head-on by promoting open communication and flexible workplace policies, preventing employee burnout and reducing stress for both leaders and staff.