Ever feel like your career’s stalling—no matter how good your work is? I’ve been there. It turns out the real unlock isn’t more output. It’s trust, risk, and five deceptively simple steps I learned from Ethan Evans, former Amazon VP. This loop changed how I show up at work—and helped me grow faster than ever.
Here’s the Magic Loop framework, plus the real reason crises build trust, how to ask for feedback that actually helps, and why side projects aren't optional anymore.
🧠 The Career Growth Loop You Can Start Today
The Magic Loop is a five-step flywheel:
- Nail your current job (and get feedback to confirm you're nailing it)
- Ask your manager, “What else can I take on?”
- Do that extra thing—without dropping the ball
- Have a growth convo: “What’s the next level for me?”
- Repeat
It’s so simple it’s easy to ignore—but most people get stuck at Step 2. Why? Fear. Fear of being taken advantage of. Fear of more work with no reward. But Evans flips that: “That’s exactly where trust is built.”
💥 Crises Build Trust Faster Than Wins
Trust grows slow in good times—but fast in bad. A tough launch, a team fire drill, a bad outage... these aren’t just moments to survive. They’re accelerators.
When you show up in chaos—reliable, calm, proactive—that’s when people remember you.
“Trust is predictability under pressure.”
— Ethan Evans
For me, this meant volunteering to clean up a client mess that wasn’t technically my fault. It was uncomfortable—but it cemented trust across design, product, and execs. Suddenly, I was “the person you want in the room.”
🔄 Where People Get Stuck—and How to Get Unstuck
The biggest blockers?
- Fear of being exploited: You think, “If I do more, they’ll just expect more.”
- Can’t offload old work: You’re too full to take on the next-level stuff.
- Waiting for your manager to notice: Don’t. Proactively ask, “Can I hand this off so I can focus on higher-impact things?”
Evans suggests you ask for help making space—not just more work. That’s how you move up without burning out.
💬 How to Ask for Feedback That Fuels Growth
Asking “How am I doing?” won’t get you much.
Instead, try:
- “What’s my strongest skill?”
- “Which of those strengths are most valuable to the team?”
- “What’s still holding me back from the next level?”
This turns vague advice into actionable direction. Better yet, it shows your manager you’re serious about levelling up.
🔧 Want to Grow Your Team? Coach Them Like This
Evans was clear: the #1 job of any leader is to teach and grow their team.
That starts with understanding what each person wants and where they’re willing to stretch. The best leaders help their team map out a plan—not just tell them what to do. Bonus: this makes your own job easier, too.
Got someone whose growth goal is outside your remit? Partner with them to find opportunities elsewhere. It builds loyalty and shows leadership maturity.
🤝 Building a Real Relationship With Your Manager
Evans drops a truth bomb: “Most managers want friends and allies.”
Study how they work. Who do they invest in? What gets their attention?
Then, align—not in a fake way, but by understanding what matters to them. Pair this with consistent delivery, and you’ll move up faster than the “invisible high performer.”
🛠️ What to Do After a Major Screw-Up
Made a big mistake? Here's the playbook:
- Communicate clearly and often—hourly if needed
- Own the problem
- Work hard and ask for help
- Reconnect with those impacted face-to-face
- Show operational consistency moving forward
One of Evans’ stories: taking a risky bet that clashed with his SVP’s view. It paid off, but not because he was right—it was how he handled disagreement, built consensus, and took ownership.
🧱 Career Optionality = Side Project + Network
One of Evans’ final points is gold: Every tech person should be building a network by sharing something they love. That’s how he went from Amazon exec to $700K/year creator in retirement.
Not because he was famous. But because he consistently shared value with a niche audience.
You don’t need to “build a brand.” You just need to be visible. Especially inside your company.
🔄 TL;DR: Career Growth That Actually Works
If you feel stuck, don’t wait for permission or a reorg. Run the loop:
- Master your current role
- Ask for more
- Take ownership
- Get specific feedback
- Loop it
And when the next crisis hits? Don’t run. Show up. That’s your fast-track to trust—and your next level.
Try this:
Start your own Magic Loop. This week, ask your manager: “What’s something I could do that would make your job easier?” Then follow through.
What’s worked for you when you’ve felt stuck? Drop your move—I might include it in a follow-up.
