Amazon.com Inc., long guided by a core set of 14 corporate values, has introduced two new “Leadership Principles” just days before Jeff Bezos steps down as CEO. These additions, titled “Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer” and “Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility,” reflect a shift toward addressing employee well-being and corporate social responsibility, responding to ongoing criticism of the company’s workplace culture and societal impact.
A New Era for Amazon’s Workplace Culture
The first new principle ties back to a commitment Bezos made in his final shareholder letter as CEO, advocating for Amazon to be a better place to work. This promise followed reports of high injury rates in warehouses, contentious labor disputes—such as the unionization drive in Bessemer, Alabama—and complaints of worker expendability during the pandemic.
The principle states, “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.” This emphasis on empathy and workplace improvement represents a marked attempt to soften Amazon’s reputation as a demanding and, at times, grueling workplace.
Broad Responsibility for a Global Giant
The second new principle acknowledges the significant impact Amazon has on the world, from local communities to the environment. It recognizes the need for humility in managing the ripple effects of the company’s actions.
“We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect,” it states. “We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day.”
This principle addresses longstanding critiques of Amazon, including its environmental footprint and its relationship with the communities where it operates. It calls on employees to balance their focus on customer satisfaction and growth with broader considerations of sustainability and social impact.
Amazon’s Legacy of Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles have long served as a blueprint for its workforce, promoting a relentless focus on customer satisfaction, innovation, and growth. Employees are hired and evaluated based on their alignment with these principles, which have become a cornerstone of the company’s corporate culture.
The addition of these two principles marks an evolution in Amazon’s philosophy, signaling a more holistic approach to leadership that considers not only customers and shareholders but also employees, communities, and the planet.
As Bezos transitions out of his role as CEO, the updated principles set the tone for a new chapter under incoming CEO Andy Jassy, reaffirming Amazon’s ambition to lead not just in commerce but also in social and environmental responsibility.
A New Direction or Business as Usual?
Whether these new principles translate into tangible changes for Amazon’s employees and the communities it impacts remains to be seen. However, their inclusion suggests that the company is aware of the need to balance its meteoric success with a more inclusive and sustainable vision for the future.
This shift may not only shape Amazon’s internal culture but also influence broader conversations about corporate responsibility in the modern era
