16 Leadership Principles Reimagined !!

In this articles you will find the 16 AWS Leadership Principles reimagined with a playful twist—emoji-packed, analogy-filled, and brimming with humor. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious newcomer, you’ll learn why cleaning the kitchen (even if it’s not your turn) or inventing a catapult bed (why not?) can actually teach you a thing or two about great leadership. So grab your favorite caffeinated beverage, take a comfy seat, and get ready to dive into the most entertaining crash course on 16 ?AWS ?leadership principles ?you never knew you needed!

1. Customer Obsession (????) Leaders start with the customer and work backward. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers.

Example (???) An Amazon employee notices that customers frequently ask for a new feature that doesn't exist yet. Instead of ignoring it, they prioritize developing this feature to enhance customer satisfaction, even if it means extra work.

Analogy (?????) Imagine you're a barista who knows every regular's coffee order by heart—even their dog's favorite puppuccino. You're so focused on making them happy that you've considered adopting a stray coffee bean just to keep them caffeinated!

2. 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.”

Example (????) An employee notices a spill in the hallway. Even though it's not their job, they clean it up to prevent accidents, thinking about the well-being of everyone in the company.

Analogy (????????) You're the roommate who not only washes your own dishes but also cleans the entire kitchen—even though your name isn't on the lease—because you can't live with the chaos.

3. Invent and Simplify (????)

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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.

Example (????) An Amazon developer creates a tool that automates repetitive tasks, saving the team hours each week and simplifying workflows.

Analogy (??????) Like inventing a "self-making bed" so you can sleep in longer. Sure, it might involve pulleys and possibly a catapult, but hey, mornings just got simpler!

4. Are Right, A Lot (????)

Description (???) Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.

Example (????) A project manager accurately predicts market trends and guides the team to develop a product that becomes a bestseller.

Analogy (?????♂?) You're that friend who always guesses the plot twist in movies, much to everyone's annoyance. "I knew the butler did it!"—and you're usually right.

5. 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.

Example (????) An employee learns a new programming language in their spare time and uses it to improve a company system.

Analogy (????) Like a kid who keeps asking "Why?" until they've unlocked the secrets of the universe—or at least until you've run out of answers.

6. 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.

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Example (????) A manager identifies an employee's potential beyond their current role and mentors them for a leadership position.

Analogy (??♂???) Think of assembling the Avengers. You're not just hiring a strong guy; you're recruiting the Hulk and making sure he knows how to channel that rage productively.

7. Insist on the Highest Standards (???)

Leaders have relentlessly high standards. Many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raise 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.

Example (????) Before launching a new service, the team conducts exhaustive testing to eliminate even minor bugs, ensuring a flawless customer experience.

Analogy (??????) You're like a parent who expects straight A's, gold medals, and a Nobel Prize by age 12. Anything less? Not on your watch!

8. Think Big (????)

Description (????) 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.

Example (????) Instead of just improving shipping times, Amazon develops drone delivery to get packages to customers in under 30 minutes.

Analogy (??????) Why bake a cake when you can build a bakery on the moon? Sure, it's ambitious, but lunar croissants could be the next big thing!

9. Bias for Action (??♂??)

Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk-taking.

Example (???) An employee quickly implements a trending feature on the website to capitalize on current events, understanding it can be adjusted later if needed.

Analogy (????♀?) Like diving into the pool without dipping your toe in first. Sure, the water might be cold, but you'll be swimming while others are still deciding whether to get wet.

10. 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.

Example (????) A team reuses existing software tools to build a new application instead of purchasing expensive new ones, saving costs.

Analogy (???????) You're MacGyver, building a jetpack out of duct tape and a paperclip because who needs fancy gadgets when you've got creativity?

11. 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.

Example (??♂????) A team leader admits they made a mistake in project planning and openly discusses how to improve, earning the team's respect.

Analogy (??????) Like confessing to your date that you tried to cook dinner but burned it, so now you're both eating cereal. Honesty is endearing (and sometimes crunchy).

12. 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.

Example (????) An executive spends time working in customer service to understand customer pain points firsthand.

Analogy (?????♂???) You're the detective who notices the tiny speck of lint that cracks the case wide open. No magnifying glass? No problem—you've got eagle eyes!

13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit (????♂???)

Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. They have conviction and are tenacious. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

Example (?????) During a meeting, an employee argues against a proposed strategy but, once the final decision is made, fully supports and executes it.

Analogy (??????♂?) Like debating the best pizza toppings with friends. You staunchly defend pineapple's right to be on pizza, but if the group votes pepperoni, you don't sabotage the order—you still enjoy the pizza.

14. 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.

Practical Example (????) Despite unexpected challenges, a team meets their project deadline without compromising on quality.

Humorous Analogy (?????) You're the friend who promises to help move and actually shows up on time—with coffee and donuts. You're a hero among mere mortals!

15. Strive to be Earth's Best Employer (????)

Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher-performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what’s next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees’ personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere.

Example (???♀???) Amazon implements programs that support employee well-being, like mental health resources and opportunities for career growth.

Analogy (??????) You're the boss who brings in puppies for "Stress Relief Tuesday" and turns meetings into dance-offs. Who wouldn't want to work there?

16. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility (????)

Description (????) We started in a garage, but we're not there anymore. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions.

Example (????) Amazon invests in renewable energy and sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact as a global company.

Humorous Analogy (??????) Like a giant trying to tiptoe through a village without causing earthquakes—when you're big, you have to watch your step!

Use These Emojis + Examples as a Memory Shortcut

1. Customer Obsession (????): Be the barista who knows everything—down to the puppuccino order.
2. Ownership (?????): Clean the kitchen, even if it’s not “your turn.”
3. Invent and Simplify (????): Build a self-making bed. Early morning catapult, anyone?
4. Are Right, A Lot (????): Guessing movie plot twists before they happen.
5. Learn and Be Curious (???): Keep asking “Why?” until you run out of breath.
6. Hire and Develop the Best (???♂???): Recruit the Hulk for your Avenger-level team.
7. Insist on the Highest Standards (???): Straight A’s by lunchtime, Nobel Prize by dinner.
8. Think Big (????): Don’t just bake a cake—open a lunar bakery.
9. Bias for Action (??♂??): Dive into the pool first—test the water temperature later.
10. Frugality (?????): Build a duct-tape jetpack, MacGyver-style.
11. Earn Trust (????): Burn dinner? Own it, grab cereal, and be honest.
12. Dive Deep (????): Be the detective with eagle eyes for tiny details.
13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit (????♂???): Defend pineapple pizza, but enjoy pepperoni if that’s the final vote.
14. Deliver Results (????): Show up to help move—on time, with donuts.
15. Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer (????): Puppy therapy Tuesdays, dance-off Thursdays.
16. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility (????): Big feet, gentle steps—avoid the earthquakes.

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