Beyond Checkboxes: How Amazon Builds a Culture of Belonging

What does it really take to foster a culture of inclusion? Rajeev Sharma, Director of Talent Acquisition at Amazon India, has a compelling answer: start with leadership and action. In an insightful conversation with Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India, Rajeev highlights why inclusion is more than a checkbox—it’s a business essential.

“It begins by leading by example,” he says. “You have to visibly model the inclusive behaviour and mindset you want to see throughout the organization.”

Featured in Indeed’s 2024 DEIB Report – Bridging the Gap[RM1] , Rajeev’s insights underline the crucial role of inclusive practices in building stronger businesses and better societies. While diversity initiatives risk being treated as ‘tick-the-box’ exercises in many companies, Rajeev urges leaders to cultivate intentional actions that help foster inclusivity and make it an indispensable part of their business strategy.

And for good reason. Rajeev points to Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, as a shining example of inclusive innovation. Alexa’s accessibility features, like its usability for people with visual disabilities, were born from diverse teams designing for real-world needs. “You need the right people to create the right solutions,” he emphasizes. It’s a vivid reminder that inclusive teams don’t just represent customers better—they innovate better.

A Fairer Hiring Process

When it comes to hiring, Amazon ensures the process not only removes bias at every step but also celebrates differences. “We review job descriptions and qualifications to eliminate bias. For instance, does our interview panel have the right representation?” says Rajeev. He further highlights how Amazon supports military veterans who are transitioning to corporate roles. “In the armed forces, they are attuned to saying ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ because they operate as a troop. We prepare our interviewers to appreciate this nuance through pre-briefing sessions, so that they can value their unique experiences and understand their individual role,” he says.

DEIB as a Continuous Journey

Indeed’s 2024 DEIB Report[RM2]  amplifies voices like Rajeev’s, reminding us that bridging the gap isn’t just a goal—it’s a shared responsibility. By taking deliberate steps to ensure fairness and representation, Amazon continues to set an example of how businesses can lead with both empathy and impact.