Standing Up for Your Beliefs with Data
The leadership principle ‘Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit’ is about advocating for your idea using data instead of just your opinion. It is about standing up for what you believe in and having strength in your beliefs even when they are challenged. It is also about being committed once a decision is made and then moving forward.
Challenging Respectfully and Committing Fully
Having backbone means that when you believe that something is not right, you should challenge it respectfully and responsibly. You should always push back if you disagree, no matter who you are disagreeing with. Once a decision is made, you should be able to commit to it and then move on with it.
Conflict is Part of the Culture at Amazon
At Amazon, disagreeing with someone is encouraged if you have research, data, and a logical argument. Amazon’s culture includes conflict and arguments, and standing up for your ideas is accepted. If you want a job at Amazon, you need to show that you are okay with conflict. If you are the type of person who likes competition, be ready to prove that you can calmly manage conflict. If you are uncomfortable with arguing, then you should try your best to hide it or prove that it will not hinder you.
Connection to Other Leadership Principles
This leadership principle goes well with the principle ‘Are Right, A Lot’ because when they are used together, they both ensure that different perspectives and opinions are considered. Both principles deal with relationships between people, including conflicts and arguments.
Amazon’s View on ‘Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit’
The following quote shows how Amazon thinks about the principle ‘Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit’:
“Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.”
Key Traits of Someone with Backbone
People who have backbone will fight for their beliefs, accept defeat when they lose an argument and move forward with the winning idea, calmly manage conflict, and not be afraid to stand up for their thoughts even if it means arguing with someone.
How to Approach Interview Questions for This Principle
In an interview, when answering a question about a past conflict, first say what your idea or belief was. Then, explain why someone disagreed with you and how you convinced the other person using some tactic or data. If you ended up losing the argument, explain how you were able to commit to the other person’s idea. It’s fine to lose, but you should demonstrate that even though you lost, you could accept it and move forward with the other person’s idea.
Sample Interview Questions for ‘Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit’
- When was a time you disagreed with your peers? What happened? What was the outcome?
- Describe one of your unpopular choices.
- Give an example of a time you stood up for your idea.
- When have you believed you were right, but others disagreed? Did you manage to convince them you were right?
- Describe a time you challenged a decision.
Structuring Your Interview Answers Effectively
When you answer interview questions for the principle ‘Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit,’ you should follow this answer structure: first, explain what your idea or belief in your story was. Then, say why someone disagreed and how you managed to convince them using a strategy or data. If you lost the argument, explain how you were able to commit to the other person’s idea. You should also have details of the conflict. Don’t rush to the solution and say little about the actual argument. Explain things that you said to the other person/people you disagreed with, and talk about a meeting or planned discussion you had.
Balancing Backbone and Team Commitment
You should also show that you don’t automatically agree with someone to avoid arguing if you disagree. Amazon likes seeking the truth and does not value social cohesion. Another thing to note is that you should be able to show that you can accept defeat if you lose an argument. You should not try to get rid of the other idea if yours has lost the argument. You should try the other idea and see if it works.