Amazon Leadership Principle 8

What Does Bias for Action Mean?

Bias for action is about seeing a problem, assessing the risks and benefits involved, finding a fast and effective solution, and then just doing it. It is about ‘just doing something.’ It means that you should take action quickly because if you spend too much time thinking about something, costs can be higher. Taking risks is encouraged when appropriate.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

A Bias for action approach means taking quick action instead of waiting. If there is a good opportunity, you should take it before it is no longer available. Bias for action means you are not scared to make decisions and act quickly on them. You shouldn’t freeze because you’re afraid of making the wrong choice. That “analysis paralysis” is not tolerated at Amazon.

When Is Quick Action Best?

Most solutions to problems will go two ways, meaning they can be reversed and don’t require much time or planning, and those types of solutions are the ones done by quick action. The principle Bias for Action applies to the solutions that are not permanent and can be changed. Extensive analysis is not necessary for most solutions, so being quick and ‘just doing it’ is much better. You should figure out the impact, get the data needed for your solution, and just do it.

Avoiding Overanalysis

Bias for action also means not overanalyzing things. It is important not to get caught up in analysis and planning too much and, as a result, not act quickly enough. People at Amazon believe that you don’t need to be fully confident and 100% sure of your plan to implement it or make a decision about it. If you have good business judgement and you are about 80% sure, it is better to act quickly, even if you have limited knowledge and information, than to wait a matter of months.

Amazon’s View on Bias for Action

The following quote shows how Amazon thinks about the principle of Bias for Action:

“Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.”

Characteristics of Someone with Bias for Action

People who have bias for action will act quickly, take risks when appropriate, know how to prevent getting caught up in analysis, find quick solutions to problems, know when the solutions are reversible and they can act quickly and when planning is needed, and see useful opportunities to act fast on. They will also not avoid helpful decisions, encourage others to take risks as well, try to obtain as much information as possible before making a decision, get rid of obstacles even if it is not their responsibility, and ask for help if stuck on something.

How to Show Bias for Action in an Interview

In an interview, you should show that you are not the type of person who gets stuck and freezes when facing a decision or looking at data. You have to show that you can act quickly and take risks when necessary.

Examples of Interview Questions for Bias for Action

Describe a time when you made a decision with limited information.
What methods do you use to overcome being stuck on something?
How much are you willing to take risks? Why?
Describe a time you took a risk. What was it, and what happened?
Tell me about a calculated risk you took that required quick action. What did you do to handle it, and what was the result?
Tell me about a time you had to make a big decision on the spot. What was the situation? What happened?
When did you make an important decision without talking to your manager?
When have you had to decide to act or gather more information? Which option did you pick? What information do you need to have to be able to move forward?
(for a manager) Describe a time you felt your team was not acting quickly. What did you do about it?
(for a manager) Tell me about a time you got rid of a roadblock that was slowing down your team. How did you do it, and what was the result?

How to Answer Interview Questions on Bias for Action

When you answer questions like those about the principle Bias for Action, show that you can make quick decisions. Amazon wants leaders who are willing to take risks. Leaders fear failure like other people, but what makes them different is that they accept that they have to take some risks to be successful. Amazon wants you to analyze data, but they also want you to move past that and into action. You should show that you don’t wait for others to solve your problems but instead take action and quickly invent a solution that works.