Jeff Bezos: Why Do Psychologists Consider Him a Genius

Jeff Bezos

 Jeff Bezos: Why Do Psychologists Consider Him a Genius?

When we talk about Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, we’re talking about a man who revolutionized the world of e-commerce and changed how people shop globally. Today, Bezos may be more focused on planning an extravagant wedding in Venice than hiring senior engineers—but back in the early days of Amazon, he personally conducted job interviews and often asked candidates a strange, unexpected question:

"Do you consider yourself a lucky person?"

This detail was revealed by Dan Rose, a former Amazon executive, who wrote on X:

"When I worked at Amazon from 1999 to 2006, Jeff’s favorite interview question was: ‘Are you a lucky person?’"

At first glance, it might seem like Bezos was just searching for someone who believes in luck—or perhaps someone who would bring “positive vibes” to his young startup. But psychologists and hiring experts explain that this seemingly simple question carries much deeper meaning. It actually reveals three essential traits that Bezos was looking for in the ideal employee: humility, initiative, and optimism.

Luck as a Signal of Humility

Bezos has always valued humility in his team. He also made it a point to ask candidates about their past mistakes, believing that the ability to recognize and learn from one’s errors is a sign of real intelligence.

So how does asking about luck reveal humility?

According to investor Patrick Mayer, someone who acknowledges they’ve been lucky in life is inherently humble. They understand that success doesn’t stem solely from intelligence or hard work—it’s also influenced by circumstances beyond their control.

This idea echoes what Warren Buffett once said: he considered himself “lucky to win the ovarian lottery,” meaning he was born in the right place and time to succeed. Similarly, billionaire Mark Cuban once admitted, “The truth is, to become a billionaire, you’ve got to get lucky.” In short, recognizing luck is a way of acknowledging the external forces that contribute to our achievements. It reflects emotional maturity, self-awareness, and humility—all crucial qualities for someone working in a collaborative team.

Luck as a Sign of Initiative and Awareness

Some may think of luck as mere chance—but research says otherwise.

In a famous psychological experiment, participants were asked to count the number of photos in a newspaper. Some spent several minutes on the task, while others completed it in seconds. Why?

On the second page of the newspaper, there was a bold message:

“There are 43 photos in this newspaper. You can stop counting now.”

The surprising result? People who described themselves as “lucky” were far more likely to spot the message and stop early. Others kept counting.

This shows that what we often label as “luck” may actually be mental alertness, sharp observation, and the ability to act quickly on opportunities—exactly the kinds of skills vital to succeed in a fast-paced environment like Amazon.

Luck as a Reflection of Optimism

Saying “I’m a lucky person” isn’t just about the past—it reflects a forward-looking, optimistic mindset. People who see themselves as lucky usually expect good things to happen. They engage with the world positively and proactively.

And this type of optimism isn’t just a feel-good attitude—it has proven benefits for mental performance and career success. Numerous psychological studies show that optimism boosts creativity, lowers stress, and enhances problem-solving skills.

For instance, a study from the University of Pennsylvania found that optimistic individuals have better financial health and make smarter financial decisions—even after controlling for differences in income, wealth, and background.

However, it’s important to note that optimism shouldn’t be blind. A healthy level of concern and risk-awareness is useful. But overall, focusing on opportunities rather than obstacles provides stronger motivation for growth and improvement.

The Genius of the Question

In the end, Jeff Bezos’ question—“Do you consider yourself lucky?”—might seem odd or overly simplistic for a job interview. But it’s actually psychologically profound. It doesn’t test technical skills; it probes mindset, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Someone who considers themselves lucky is likely to be humble, observant, proactive, and optimistic—exactly the kind of person Bezos wanted on his team to build a company as ambitious as Amazon.

In a world of rapid change and constant challenges, these personality traits often matter more than just technical expertise. After all, it’s easier to train someone to write code or build a spreadsheet than to teach them how to think positively or handle failure with grace.

So next time you’re asked in an interview whether you think you’re lucky, remember: the smart answer isn’t just “yes” or “no.” It’s in how you explain your reasoning—and what it says about the way you see yourself and the world.