Leadership

With all of the business and marketing books I have read, I was surprised that it took me so long to learn about these 16 leadership principles taught by Jeff Bezos. These are core to the Amazon’s culture and operational mindset along with guiding decision-making. Here they are:

1. Customer Obsession
   Leaders start with the customer and work backward.
2. Ownership
   Leaders act on behalf of the entire company, thinking long-term and never saying “that’s not my job.”
3. Invent and Simplify
   Innovation and simplification are valued, and leaders seek out ways to simplify processes.
4. Are Right, A Lot
   Leaders are expected to have strong judgment and good instincts.
5. Learn and Be Curious
   Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves.
6. Hire and Develop the Best
   Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and coach others to improve.
7. Insist on the Highest Standards
   Leaders continuously raise the bar for high-quality products and services.
8. Think Big
   Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results.
9. Bias for Action
   Speed matters, and many decisions and actions are reversible.
10. Frugality
    Accomplish more with less, focusing on resourcefulness rather than excessive spending.
11. Earn Trust
    Leaders work to build trust with others by being transparent, self-critical, and objective.
12. Dive Deep
    Leaders operate at all levels, paying attention to details and understanding all aspects of their work.
13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
    Leaders are encouraged to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree but commit fully once a decision is made.
14. Deliver Results
    Leaders focus on key inputs for the business and deliver them on time and with high quality.
15. Strive to Be Earth’s Best Employer
    Leaders work to make the workplace inclusive, safe, and fulfilling for employees.
16. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility
    Leaders consider the impact of their actions on the environment and society, taking responsibility for broader consequences.

These principles were implemented to ensure Amazon’s long-term success and have been integral to its corporate strategy.