Amazon Leadership Principles
Amazon's interview process is unlike anywhere else: every answer must tie to a Leadership Principle. "Customer Obsession" isn't just a buzzword—it's a filter. Get LP-specific practice for all 16 principles, including the tricky ones like"Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit" that trip everyone up.
All 16 Leadership Principles
Customer Obsession
Leaders start with the customer and work backwards
Ownership
Leaders think long term and don't sacrifice for short-term results
Invent and Simplify
Leaders expect innovation and find ways to simplify
Are Right, A Lot
Leaders have strong judgment and good instincts
Learn and Be Curious
Leaders never stop learning and seek to improve
Hire and Develop the Best
Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire
Insist on the Highest Standards
Leaders continually raise the bar
Think Big
Leaders create bold direction that inspires results
Bias for Action
Speed matters in business—many decisions are reversible
Frugality
Accomplish more with less—constraints breed resourcefulness
Earn Trust
Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully
Dive Deep
Leaders operate at all levels, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics differ
Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
Challenge decisions when you disagree, then commit wholly
Deliver Results
Leaders focus on key inputs and deliver with the right quality
Strive to be Earth's Best Employer
Leaders create safe, productive, diverse environment
Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility
Make decisions considering our impact on the world
Preparation Tips
2-3 stories per LP (minimum)
One story won't cut it—they ask follow-ups. "Give me another example." Be ready.
STAR isn't optional here
Amazon interviewers are literally trained to listen for Situation→Task→Action→Result. Skip one, you lose points.
Numbers. Numbers. Numbers.
"I improved the process" vs "I reduced processing time by 40%, saving $200K/year." Guess which one lands?
"I" not "we" (seriously)
Team projects are fine. But they want YOUR role. "I convinced the team to..." not "We decided to..."
They WILL ask about failures
"Tell me about a time you failed." If you say "I can't think of one," you've already failed.
2 minutes, then stop
Rambling = death. Practice with a timer. If you're at 3+ minutes, you've lost them.