The Amazon Leadership Principle “Strive to be the Earth’s Best Employer” is especially relevant for leaders managing Big Bets. High-impact initiatives require not only strategic vision but also a commitment to fostering an environment where employees can thrive. Leaders who aspire to be the world’s best employer create teams that are empowered, productive, and innovative—essential qualities for Big Bets that often face uncertainty and risk. By ensuring their teams feel safe, valued, and supported, leaders enable them to perform at their highest level, which is critical to achieving transformative outcomes.
In the context of Big Bets, the principle of being the best employer takes on an even greater importance. Leaders must focus on creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, where employees feel empowered to contribute their best ideas. They must ask themselves: Are my team members growing and ready to tackle the next challenge? This commitment to employee development directly correlates with the success of a Big Bet, as it ensures that teams are equipped with the skills, motivation, and confidence to execute bold initiatives. Leaders who invest in their employees’ personal success foster a resilient, high-performing team capable of rising to the occasion.
Moreover, striving to be the world’s best employer isn’t just about productivity; it’s about making work enjoyable and meaningful. Leaders who foster a fun and engaging work environment inspire creativity and innovation—key drivers of success in any Big Bet. By leading with empathy and ensuring that employees are not only growing but also enjoying their work, leaders build teams that are fully invested in the mission. This positive culture is crucial to the long-term success of Big Bets, as it encourages both individual and collective excellence.
John Rossman is a writer, strategy advisor, and keynote speaker. Have him inspire and teach your team.
Learn more at https://bit.ly/RossmanPartners.
Read his substack newsletter at https://bit.ly/DigitalLeader-PLTD.
Connect with John at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/
Amazon Leadership Principle — Strive to be the World’s Best Employeer
The Amazon Leadership Principle “Strive to be the Earth’s Best Employer” emphasizes a holistic commitment to creating a positive, empowering, and equitable work environment. This principle is particularly relevant when leading Big Bets, as the success of high-stakes initiatives depends not just on strategy but also on the well-being and engagement of the team. Leaders who strive to be the best employer focus on building a safe, productive, and diverse workplace where employees feel valued and are motivated to contribute their best. This environment fosters innovation, resilience, and accountability—critical elements for Big Bets, where success often hinges on the performance of cross-functional, high-performing teams.
The Big Bet Environment, outlined in *Big Bet Leadership*, stresses the importance of setting up a context where employees can thrive and perform at their best. Chapter 3, “Opening Moves,” discusses how leaders can create environments that allow Big Bet teams to operate with a high degree of independence and focus, without being hampered by the bureaucratic hurdles that exist in large organizations. This aligns with the “Strive to be the Earth’s Best Employer” principle, as it requires leaders to foster an environment that not only supports high performance but also empowers employees by minimizing distractions and unnecessary constraints. Creating clarity and velocity, two essential Big Bet habits, are enhanced when leaders ensure that employees are provided with the right resources, clear goals, and a culture of trust and accountability.
The focus on empathy, personal growth, and having fun at work is another key to building a Big Bet Environment that drives results. Empathetic leadership ensures that employees feel understood, supported, and empowered to take on challenges, which is especially important in Big Bets, where the pressure and stakes are high. Leaders who encourage fun and camaraderie foster creativity and collaboration, helping teams stay motivated even in difficult circumstances. As mentioned in Chapter 5, “Championship Habits,” maintaining ambition and avoiding the temptation to settle for less is key to delivering on Big Bets. Leaders who emphasize employee growth and empowerment can maintain this high level of ambition by ensuring their teams remain engaged and aligned with the company’s mission.
Culture is Key
The Amazon Leadership Principle “Strive to be the Earth’s Best Employer” emphasizes a holistic commitment to creating a positive, empowering, and equitable work environment. This principle is particularly relevant when leading Big Bets, as the success of high-stakes initiatives depends not just on strategy but also on the well-being and engagement of the team. Leaders who strive to be the best employer focus on building a safe, productive, and diverse workplace where employees feel valued and are motivated to contribute their best. This environment fosters innovation, resilience, and accountability—critical elements for Big Bets, where success often hinges on the performance of cross-functional, high-performing teams.
The Big Bet Environment, outlined in *Big Bet Leadership*, stresses the importance of setting up a context where employees can thrive and perform at their best. Chapter 3, “Opening Moves,” discusses how leaders can create environments that allow Big Bet teams to operate with a high degree of independence and focus, without being hampered by the bureaucratic hurdles that exist in large organizations. This aligns with the “Strive to be the Earth’s Best Employer” principle, as it requires leaders to foster an environment that not only supports high performance but also empowers employees by minimizing distractions and unnecessary constraints. Creating clarity and velocity, two essential Big Bet habits, are enhanced when leaders ensure that employees are provided with the right resources, clear goals, and a culture of trust and accountability.
The focus on empathy, personal growth, and having fun at work is another key to building a Big Bet Environment that drives results. Empathetic leadership ensures that employees feel understood, supported, and empowered to take on challenges, which is especially important in Big Bets, where the pressure and stakes are high. Leaders who encourage fun and camaraderie foster creativity and collaboration, helping teams stay motivated even in difficult circumstances. As mentioned in Chapter 5, “Championship Habits,” maintaining ambition and avoiding the temptation to settle for less is key to delivering on Big Bets. Leaders who emphasize employee growth and empowerment can maintain this high level of ambition by ensuring their teams remain engaged and aligned with the company’s mission.
John Rossman is a writer, strategy advisor, and keynote speaker. Have him inspire and teach your team.
Learn more at https://bit.ly/RossmanPartners.
Read his substack newsletter at https://bit.ly/DigitalLeader-PLTD.
Connect with John at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/
