Amazon Leadership Principles

Question 1

First 7 leadership principles

Answer 1

1. Customer Obsession
2. Ownership
3. Invent and Simplify
4. Are Right, A Lot
5. Hire and Develop the Best
6. Insist on the Highest Standards
7. Think Big

Question 2

Last 7 leadership principles

Answer 2

1. Bias for Action
2. Frugality
3. Vocally Self Critical
4. Earn Trust of Others
5. Dive Deep
6. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
7. Deliver Results

Question 3

Customer Obsession

Answer 3

Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers.

Question 4

Ownership

Answer 4

Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my job”.

Question 5

Invent and Simplify

Answer 5

Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here”. As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.

Question 6

Are Right, A Lot

Answer 6

Leaders are right a lot. They have strong business judgment and good instincts…

Question 7

Hire and Develop the Best

Answer 7

Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognise exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organisation. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others.

Question 8

Insist on the Highest Standards

Answer 8

Leaders have relentlessly high standards - many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.

Question 9

Think Big

Answer 9

Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.

Question 10

Bias for Action

Answer 10

Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.

Question 11

Frugality

Answer 11

We try not to spend money on things that don’t matter to customers. Frugality breeds resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and invention. There are no extra points for headcount, budget size or fixed expense.

Question 12

Vocally Self Critical

Answer 12

Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odour smells of perfume. Leaders come forward with problems or information, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders benchmark themselves and their teams against the best.

Question 13

Earn Trust of Others

Answer 13

Leaders are sincerely open-minded, genuinely listen, and are willing to examine their strongest convictions with humility.

Question 14

Dive Deep

Answer 14

Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details and audit frequently. No task is beneath them.

Question 15

Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit

Answer 15

Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

Question 16

Deliver Results

Answer 16

Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle.