Whether you admire Amazon or hate it, there's no question the Seattle-based retail and services juggernaut is a stellar business performer.
What's Jeff Bezos's secret? Amazon's careers page offers a tantalizing glimpse: a list of 14 Leadership Principles the company claims to use every day, "whether we're
discussing ideas for new projects or deciding on the best approach to solving a
problem." It is, the company says. "just one of the things that makes Amazon peculiar."
Although aimed at potential hires, Amazon's leadership principles offer key insights for any business owner into what it takes to succeed today on the front lines of the disruption economy. Why not copy and paste this post and adopt a similar list of recommended skills and values for your staff (future and present-day)?
Start small. Choose (and revise if necessary) seven of these principles and bring them to your next management meeting for discussion. If your team buys in, make sure they also take responsibility for revising the organization's processes so that your acutal practices match the idealism of these lvaues.Then roll out your fancy new prinicples and watch your bsuiness soar.
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 judgment and good
instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.
Learn and Be Curious
Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve
themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them.
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. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for
development like Career Choice.
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
Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness,
self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing
headcount, budget size, or fixed expense.
Earn Trust
Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others
respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or
embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odor
smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best.
Dive Deep
Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details,
audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. 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.
