Amazon Leadership Principles

At Amazon, the principle "Hire and Develop the Best" is pivotal to ensuring the company continues to thrive. Leaders are expected to raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognising exceptional talent and fostering an environment that promotes growth and development is core to Amazon's success.

• Leaders Develop Leaders: Amazon values leaders who not only lead teams but also take their role in coaching and developing others seriously. The goal is to help everyone reach their full potential, whether that’s through formal or informal mentorship.

• Raising the Bar: Leaders are tasked with consistently pushing the performance of their team. Every new hire should elevate the organisation, with the goal being that each person hired is stronger than 50% of existing staff in similar roles.

• Investment in Growth: Developing others is seen as a critical responsibility at Amazon. The company has developed programs like Career Choice to support employees in growing their skills and advancing in their careers.

Jeff Bezos (1998 Shareholder Letter):
“It would be impossible to produce results in an environment as dynamic as the Internet without extraordinary people… Setting the bar high in our approach to hiring has been, and will continue to be, the single most important element of Amazon.com’s success.”

Andy Jassy (AWS CEO):
“Businesses often compromise on hiring in the name of rapid growth, but we’re vigilant about hiring builders - inventive, entrepreneurial, creative types.”

earn and Be Curious: The Ultimate Guide to the Leadership Principle Interview

Amazon’s "Learn and Be Curious" principle is fundamental in ensuring that the company adapts and thrives in an ever-changing world. For Amazon, continual learning, curiosity, and the ability to evolve are critical. This principle encourages employees to stay ahead of the curve, embrace change, and proactively push their domains forward. The key is to demonstrate not only a thirst for knowledge in your field but also a broader intellectual curiosity that extends to new ideas, trends, and developments.

In this module, we'll break down the meaning of the "Learn and Be Curious" principle, explore compelling examples from Amazon's history, and provide you with strategies to highlight your alignment with this important leadership trait during your interview.

1. Understanding the 'Learn and Be Curious' Principle

At Amazon, the world is constantly changing, and so must its employees. The company thrives on progress and transformation, whether in product design, customer demands, or technological advancements. To keep up, Amazon needs people who are not only curious but who are willing to challenge the status quo and push boundaries.

This principle means:

• Commitment to Lifelong Learning: You should actively pursue opportunities to learn and grow, both within your immediate role and beyond.

• Embracing Change: The landscape around you will shift, and Amazon values employees who are adaptable and open to evolving with it.

• Pushing the Boundaries: Don’t just settle for the current state—always aim to improve, innovate, and drive change in the areas you own.

• Curiosity in Broader Contexts: Not just about staying current in your field but being open to ideas and trends that can reshape your understanding or approach.

To demonstrate this principle in an interview, it's essential to show your proactive pursuit of knowledge and how you use that curiosity to drive improvement in your work and Amazon’s broader goals.

Invent & Simplify is one of Amazon’s core leadership principles. This principle emphasises the need for continuous innovation while keeping processes simple and efficient. Amazon leaders are expected to challenge the status quo, simplify processes, and invent new solutions for customers and internal operations alike.

This module will help you break down the meaning of the Invent & Simplify principle, explore compelling examples from Amazon and other companies, and craft answers that demonstrate your ability to innovate and simplify in the workplace.

1. Understanding the Invent & Simplify Principle

Amazon’s Invent & Simplify leadership principle highlights a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement. It’s not just about inventing new products; it’s also about simplifying existing processes and making complex solutions more accessible to customers.

Key elements include:

• Customer-Centric Innovation: Ideas should always start with the customer's needs and work backwards.

• Simplifying Complexity: Make it easy for customers and teams to understand and adopt new solutions.

• Embracing Failure: Innovation often comes with setbacks. Amazon values a learning mindset when experiments don’t succeed.

“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.’” — Invent & Simplify, Amazon Leadership Principle

Getting to the interview stage at Amazon is a significant achievement. The company is one of the most sought-after employers in the tech industry due to its diverse business presenting unique opportunities, transparent culture, lateral and upward mobility opportunities, and strong internal network. Amazon is known for its commitment to innovation, customer obsession, and a unique company culture shaped by its focus on 16 Leadership Principles.