Leadership by Design: Amazon's 16 Guiding Principles

Curious about what really drives Amazon's success? After eight and a half years working at the tech giant before entering semi-retirement, I'm pulling back the curtain on the 16 Leadership Principles that form the DNA of one of the world's most innovative companies.

These principles aren't just words on a wall – they're the living, breathing framework that shapes how Amazon hires, operates, makes decisions, and solves problems. From Customer Obsession (where everything begins) to Deliver Results (the ultimate goal), each principle creates a common language across the organization's vast divisions and functions. Whether you're in retail, AWS, logistics, or any other part of the Amazon ecosystem, these principles drive consistency in expectations and behavior.

I take you through each principle, sharing the official definition along with my personal interpretation and real-world observations of how they manifest in daily operations. You'll discover how "Are Right A Lot" enables high-velocity decision-making through the concept of "two-way doors," why "Have Backbone, Disagree and Commit" creates healthy conflict that drives innovation, and how "Frugality" isn't just about saving money but creating elegant, minimalist solutions.

For those considering careers at Amazon, I provide insights into how these principles shape the interview process and what recruiters are looking for when evaluating candidates. As a former Bar Raiser who participated in over 400 interview loops, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to demonstrate alignment with these principles through specific, data-driven examples using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

What fascinates me most is how these principles continue to influence my thinking even after leaving the company. They've become part of my leadership DNA – a testament to their power and universality. Whatever organization you're part of, having a set of principles that are truly lived rather than just displayed might be the most powerful differentiator in creating consistent, sustainable success.

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