Name: Ever Daniel
From: Phoenix, AZ
Grade: A
School: Some School
Votes: 0 
Whether
you are an individual contributor or a manager of a large team, you
are an Amazon leader. These are our leadership principles and every
Amazonian is guided by these principles.
Customer
Obsession
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.
Ownership
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”.
Invent
and Simplify
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.
Are
Right, A Lot
Leaders
are right a lot. They have strong business judgment and good
instincts.
Hire
and Develop the Best
Leaders
raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They
recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the
organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role
in coaching others.
Insist
on the Highest Standards
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.
Think
Big
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.
Bias
for Action
Speed
matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do
not need extensive study. We value calculated risk
taking.
Frugality
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.
Vocally
Self Critical
Leaders
do not believe their or their team’s body odor 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.
Earn
Trust of Others
Leaders
are sincerely open-minded, genuinely listen, and are willing to
examine their strongest convictions with humility.
Dive
Deep
Leaders
operate at all levels, stay connected to the details and audit
frequently. No task is beneath them.
Have
Backbone; Disagree and Commit
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.
Deliver
Results
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.
