Behavioral & STAR · Values & Leadership-Principles Interviews · Lesson 1 of 2
The values interview (Amazon's 16 LPs)
Many companies run an explicit values loop where every question maps to a published principle. Amazon is the canonical example: its 16 Leadership Principles are literally the interview rubric, and interviewers are each assigned specific LPs to probe.
- Customer Obsession — start from the customer and work backward.
- Ownership — act on behalf of the whole company; never say 'not my job.'
- Invent and Simplify — seek new ideas and remove complexity.
- Are Right, A Lot — strong judgment; seek diverse perspectives.
- Learn and Be Curious; Hire and Develop the Best; Insist on the Highest Standards.
- Think Big; Bias for Action (speed matters, many decisions are reversible); Frugality.
- Earn Trust; Dive Deep (stay connected to details/data); Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit.
- Deliver Results; Strive to be Earth's Best Employer; Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility.
Name the principleIn an LP loop it's fair game to say 'This is a Dive Deep story' or 'Here I had to Disagree and Commit.' Naming the principle shows you did the homework and helps the interviewer map your answer straight onto their rubric.
'Bias for Action' isn't recklessnessInterviewers probe the nuance: Bias for Action values speed on reversible ('two-way door') decisions, not skipping diligence on irreversible ones. Know the intent behind the value, not just its name.
◆ Lock it in
- Values loops make published principles the rubric; Amazon's 16 LPs are the canonical example.
- It's good to name the principle your story demonstrates.
- Understand each value's intent (e.g. Bias for Action = speed on reversible calls), not just its label.
Feynman drill — say it out loudPick three Amazon Leadership Principles and give a one-line story idea for each.
Step 1 rate your confidence · Step 2 pick your answer
In an Amazon-style Leadership-Principles interview, what's the strongest approach?
Step 1 — how sure are you?