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"Working Backwards" is a very good book for product leaders to read. It builds on 6 core Amazon principles AND tells the story of 4 key amazon projects. Written by @cbryar (12+) and @BillCarr89 (15+ yrs) of Amazon. 1/ https://smile.amazon.com/Working-Backwards-Insights-Stories-Secrets/dp/1250267595/
2/ My normal caveat is that I tend to like books that tell the story and tools a company used but don't try too hard to tell you that you should do what they did or "use these tools". I'm hardcore about this because I think context, domain, and people make all the difference.
3/ I've seen far too often business leaders adopt the low-friction/readily adoptable part of such expressed lessons, and then get frustrated things don't work. I've even seen this happen when one part of Microsoft tried to lift parts of what another team did.
4/ This is especially the case when there are specific "artifacts". I've seen this happen with my book "One Strategy". That should be a caution not a reason not to buy and enjoy this book.
5/ The 6 chapters of Part I go through some of the essential elements of "being Amazonian". I think each of these are the key aspects of any well-run org with solid descriptions of why/how/what. I walked away feeling they did a great job saying "do this, not that" so here you go:
6/ 1) Leadership principles written down >> Mission statements. Writing down "how" the company should operate is a great way to approach versus writing down the goals of the org. Amazon has expanded and iterated a bit which is discussed.
7/ 2) Bar raising >> hiring manager. No surprise given common ancestry but the idea of having a core dedicated group that owns hiring decisions versus relying on a hiring manager (with the opening) is superior. Microsoft called this "As Appropriate" and is discussed.
