#29 How to Get Ahead of Change: Lessons from Amazon Autos' Leader Fan Jin

What if the next big opportunity in your career begins before you feel completely ready? What does it take to build a new business inside one of the world's most innovative companies? In this episode of This Is How SHE Did It, Bonnie Habyan sits down with Fan Jin, Head of Amazon Autos, to discuss how Amazon is transforming the car-buying experience through customer obsession, innovation, and technology. But this conversation goes far beyond buying cars. Fan shares her remarkable journey from Amazon intern to leading one of Amazon's newest businesses. Along the way, she reveals the leadership principles that helped her navigate uncertainty, build trust, make fast decisions, find mentors, and create meaningful change inside one of the world's most customer-focused companies. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, executive, or someone looking to accelerate your career, this episode offers practical insights on innovation, confidence, decision-making, and becoming a changemaker. What You'll Learn Why you don't have to know everything before taking the next step How Amazon builds new businesses by starting with the customer Why speed often matters more than perfection How great leaders balance data with judgment The role mentors play in accelerating your career How to develop the mindset needed to lead through uncertainty In This Episode 00:00 - Why buying a car has been so frustrating 00:28 - Amazon Autos and the bigger mission 01:41 - How Amazon identified the opportunity 03:36 - Why consumers struggle with the buying process 05:29 - How Amazon Autos works today 07:27 - What makes Amazon Autos different 09:13 - Leading in traditionally male-dominated industries 13:06 - Balancing data, judgment, and speed 15:40 - Why Amazon embraces fast iteration 18:02 - Mentorship and career growth 20:33 - Learning without being the expert 22:47 - The future of Amazon Autos 24:46 - Fan's advice for women ready for their next opportunity If you've ever wondered how great leaders build innovative businesses, lead through uncertainty, or create meaningful change inside large organizations, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to This Is How SHE Did It for inspiring conversations with women who are redefining leadership, building remarkable careers, and creating lasting impact. Connect with Bonnie Habyan: Website: https://www.meetbonnieh.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-habyan Subscribe to the This Is How SHE Did It LinkedIn Newsletter for more leadership insights, career strategies, and inspiring stories. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to stop waiting and start building what's next.