Work Style Assessment: Personality Flashcards

As a leader, you observe that one of your team members performs better than 95% of the others. How do you behave?

Answer: Collaborate with another leader to help develop this team member. You believe they are ready to move on to a more significant career opportunity within the organization.

This choice exemplifies Amazon's 'Develops Others' leadership principle. A true leader at Amazon not only nurtures talent within their immediate team but also champions high-performing individuals for broader career opportunities across the organization. This demonstrates a commitment to the long-term growth of employees and the overall strength of the company, even if it means a team member moves on.

While thinking big is important, there are times when thinking small is preferable. We don't have to see every situation as a chance to be creative or adopt a new perspective.

Answer: Strongly Disagree

This statement directly contradicts Amazon's 'Think Big' leadership principle. Amazon encourages employees to constantly challenge the status quo, innovate, and look for large-scale solutions and opportunities, rather than settling for incremental changes. The company values a mindset that always seeks to be creative and adopt new perspectives, pushing for significant impact in every situation.

A big inaccuracy was discovered in a team member's work. How do you behave?

Answer: Assess where your co-worker went wrong. Then, notify them and any necessary stakeholders of the mistake. Offer to help fix the error so the situation gets repaired as soon as possible.

This response demonstrates 'Ownership' and 'Bias for Action,' crucial Amazon leadership principles. It emphasizes taking immediate responsibility to understand the root cause of the error, inform all necessary stakeholders, and proactively offer assistance to rectify the situation. This approach prioritizes swift problem-solving and collaborative action over assigning blame or simply escalating the issue.

I believe I have a loud voice of self-criticism.

Answer: Strongly Agree

A 'loud voice of self-criticism' aligns with Amazon's emphasis on 'Are Right, A Lot' and 'Learn and Be Curious.' This trait indicates a strong capacity for self-reflection and a continuous drive for improvement, pushing individuals to scrutinize their own work and decisions. This self-awareness is valued as it fosters a commitment to learning, adapting, and striving for the highest standards.

Pick the response that most accurately expresses how you feel about the following statement: "A multi-billion-dollar company should consider minimizing costs elsewhere before growing its team, expanding its budget, or taking a risk on a new expense."

Answer: Constraints breed self-sufficiency and invention. No matter the company's profits, leaders should always choose resourcefulness.

This answer perfectly encapsulates Amazon's 'Frugality' leadership principle. Amazon believes that resourcefulness and cost-consciousness are essential for innovation and long-term success, regardless of the company's financial standing. The idea that 'constraints breed self-sufficiency and invention' highlights how operating within limits encourages creative problem-solving and efficient resource utilization.

Which of the following best sums you up?

Answer: I am always skeptical. When something doesn't make sense, I avidly look into data, metrics, and other details to find the correct answer.

This choice reflects Amazon's 'Dive Deep' and 'Are Right, A Lot' leadership principles. Being 'always skeptical' and avidly seeking data, metrics, and details demonstrates a commitment to thoroughness, accuracy, and root cause analysis. This approach ensures that decisions are well-founded and data-driven, rather than based on assumptions or superficial understanding.

A good leader should care about both the professional development and personal success of their team members.

Answer: Strongly Agree

This statement aligns with Amazon's 'Develops Others' leadership principle. Amazon leaders are expected to invest holistically in their team members' growth, encompassing both their professional skills and their personal career aspirations. Caring for both aspects fosters a supportive environment, leading to higher engagement, retention, and ultimately, stronger team performance and loyalty.