What does Amazon's Leadership Principle 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer' mean to you?
Jeff Bezos, before retiring as CEO and transferring to the position of executive chairman, added two new Amazon Leadership Principles. The first is, 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer.' Bezos defines this principle: "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."
"I have performed a lot of research on Amazon's Leadership Principles and was excited to see that Jeff Bezos added two new principles before retiring as CEO of Amazon. This principle that states, 'Strive to be Earth's Best Employer,' is inspiring because it shows that Amazon strives to be an organization that puts its employees first, regardless of if their success comes from Amazon or by moving to a different organization. I appreciate that Amazon's leaders focus on their team members' growth and empowerment. This focus is critical, especially as we see employees demand a new approach to the workplace that many people are calling 'the future of work.'"
"This is a great leadership principle, but it is just one part of who Amazon is, where they define themselves as striving to be 'Earth's most customer-centric company,' 'Earth's best employer,' and 'Earth's safest place to work.' So when you look at the combined humanity of these three statements, I think that is what this leadership principle is about. To treat their employees as human beings who they care about as much as they care about humanity and the planet itself. It means they treat the workforce with dignity and respect and create a platform for opportunity and success."
When competing to join a company's culture, it holds value to identify with that culture and demonstrate how you are compatible with it. There are many leadership principles, and how Amazon defines each is a lot to memorize. But it boils down to how badly you want the job and how far you are willing to go to earn it. These principles are the foundation of most Amazon interview questions, so understanding them will give you a leading edge.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
As a leader, the most amazing thing you can do is align interests. Each leadership role has the challenge to empower employees as individuals, growing in mastery, with a purpose (not just money) that engages them. While I have taken these three principles from behavioral science research, they strongly align with what Amazon says about being the world's best employer.
Marcie's Feedback
If only every employer (boss) felt that way and acted on it! By discussing these behavioral science concepts, you give the impression that this is the way you choose to lead, which the interviewer will be happy to hear. You might also mention your desire to work for a company that abides by these concepts and strives to be a great employer.
Anonymous Answer
customer-obsessed
sustainability and the environment
employees to have a work-life balance
Marcie's Feedback
You've touched on several things that great employers tend to be: customer-obsessed, kind to the environment, and supportive of employees having a healthy work/life balance. Nice! Do you look forward to working for this type of employer? Remind the interviewer that these same principles are important to you too.
Anonymous Answer
Amazon aspiring to be the Earth's Best Employer tells me that Amazon appreciates and puts people and relationships first. In addition to being customer obsessed, being obsessed about the quality of your employees' everyday work experience says that Amazon can only succeed if we all succeed. That Amazon's success results from the success of not only its customers but its employees as well, and that builds loyalty, trust, and a strong feel-good factor.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! You've done a great job of explaining what this principle means and what it tells you about the company. Consider ending your response by talking about your desire and excitement to work for this company that strives to be the planet's best employer. Great job!
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