Amazon Leadership Principle - Bias for Action

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

What is “Bias for Action” at Amazon

Bias for Action means - “the doers”, the one who takes initiative and shows positive bias to act on the problem identified. Amazon loves people who are action oriented. Even if someone does not have a clear view of end result but is willing to act on a situation with limited Information. It is about velocity (with direction) not speed (directionless). They believe, failing is ok by doing something rather than just waiting for full information and doing nothing. This confidence comes from their famous technique of Two-way door decisions which means reversible decisions. A suboptimal solution done with bias for action is ok because as soon as they know it might not work they shut down that solution and work on a new one.

Bias for Action Amazon interview questions

• Walk through an example when you worked against stringent deadlines and did not have time to seek more information or help?

• Did you take any calculated risk, how did you evaluate risk, how much time did you have ?

• Ever made a decision without consulting your manager ? How did it go ?

• Did you ever experience a situation where you had to tradeoff between action or wait for more information, what did you choose and why ?

Interviewers expectations from your answers on “Bias for Action”

• Are you someone who does not wait for things to happen but does things.

• Are you someone who is willing to roll up sleeves and willing to do their hands dirty.

• Are you someone who has a clear understanding of when to act on your own or when to wait for someone.

• Are you someone who always waits for complete information and does not use best judgment to leverage the limited available information.

Must have in your answers on “Bias for Action”

• Mention in your answers how quickly you arrive to a point of action and do not just keep waiting for information.

• When you find customer in trouble, you act and do not keep waiting for others to act.

• Empower your direct reports to take independent actions, essentially remove bottlenecks and foster red tape free environment.

• Mention how good you are in making sound judgment/decisions with limited/sufficient information