Amazon Leadership Principles Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Amazon's leadership principles are key to scaling the company and its culture over 29 years.
• Crafted carefully over the years with complementary and tension-filled principles.
• Leadership principles are a practice that requires constant learning and application.

Customer Obsession

• Starts with the customer and works backwards.
• Vigorous focus on earning and keeping customer trust.
• Example: Decision to have customer reviews despite publisher resistance.
• During the pandemic, AWS helped customers optimize costs instead of maximizing revenue.
• Product development involves working backwards documents to ensure customer-focused products.

Right a Lot

• Leaders have strong judgment and instincts.
• Seek diverse perspectives and challenge beliefs.
• Important in areas with ambiguity.
• Correct answers for customers are prioritized over personal ideas.

Invent and Simplify

• Continuous invention and simplification are crucial for long-term success.
• Examples: AWS, Alexa, and reinventing marketplace business.
• Innovation requires learning from competitors and external awareness.

Think Big

• Bold direction and visionary thinking inspire results.
• Encourage looking around corners for breakthroughs.
• Examples: E-commerce delivery models evolving from many days to same day.

Dive Deep

• Leaders engage with details and audit frequently.
• Balance between strategic thinking and detail orientation.
• Narrative formats enforce detail-oriented communication.

Insist on the Highest Standards

• Relentlessly high standards expected from leaders.
• High customer expectations drive high standards.
• Performance during the pandemic and recovery of standards.

Bias for Action

• Emphasizes speed and calculated risk-taking.
• Two-way door decisions should be made quickly.
• Balance speed with high standards and customer experience.

Ownership

• Leaders think long-term and act on behalf of the company.
• Ownership mindset involves holistic thinking and accountability.

Frugality

• Resourcefulness and self-sufficiency are valued over headcount and expenses.
• Examples: Door desks, small team successes like AWS S3 and EC2.

Learn and Be Curious

• Leaders are perpetual learners and seekers of improvement.
• Differentiates career growth among employees.

Have Backbone, Disagree and Commit

• Leaders are expected to challenge decisions respectfully.
• Emphasizes truth-seeking and cohesive commitment post-decision.

Earn Trust

• Leaders must be honest, vocal, and self-critical.
• Trust is built through delivery and accountability.

Strive to be Earth's Best Employer

• Focus on creating a diverse, just, and enjoyable work environment.
• Commitment to employee growth and success.

Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility

• Commitment to being responsible community members.
• Involvement in affordable housing, food security, and education.

Hire and Develop the Best

• High performance bar for hiring and promotions.
• Importance of candid feedback for personal growth.

Deliver Results

• Focus on delivering key inputs and outputs.
• Iteration post-launch is crucial for success.

Conclusion

• Leadership principles require continuous practice and improvement.
• Critical part of Amazon's success over 29 years and beyond.