NetApp has a list
of 7 “Living Our Values”, whilst AWS (Amazon Web Services) has a list of 14 “Leadership
Principles”. I list the NetApp values first (since it’s the shorter list),
followed by the AWS principles. This post isn’t an intention to compare
companies (even though I put versus in the title), just fuel for thought.
Image: Philosophies
of NetApp v AWS
NetApp’s 7 “Living Our Values”
NetApp is a data management company: http://www.netapp.com
1) Trust and Integrity
Our interactions are based on candor, honesty, and
respect for individual contributions. We are committed to earning the trust and
confidence of our teammates and to always acting for the absolute good of the
whole.
2) Leadership
We lead by articulating and demonstrating our shared
vision, values, and goals. We transform individual effort into high-performance
teams that are prepared for expanding roles and challenges.
3) Simplicity
We embrace Einstein’s principle that everything should be
as simple as possible but no simpler. We maintain simplicity in our internal
processes and structures with objectives that are succinct, quantitative, and
time bound.
4) Adaptability
We embrace change to create competitive advantage. We
remain agile, flexible, and nimble to thrive in an evolving business
environment.
5) Teamwork
We achieve synergy through the skills and ideas of all
participants. Through collaboration, we strive for win/win solutions to issues
and problems. Personal success is realized through team achievements.
6) Go Beyond
We set extraordinary expectations and goals, and we
believe in the joy of achieving significant results. We embrace creativity,
risk taking, and continuous improvement, enabling us to make and meet
aggressive commitments.
7) Get Things Done!
AWS 14 “Leadership Principles”
Amazon Web Services is a Cloud Computing Services
company: https://aws.amazon.com/
From here: https://www.amazon.jobs/principles
Leadership Principles
Our Leadership
Principles aren’t just a pretty inspirational wall hanging. These Principles
work hard, just like we do. Amazonians use them, every day, whether they’re
discussing ideas for new projects, deciding on the best solution for a
customer’s problem, or interviewing candidates. It’s just one of the things
that makes Amazon peculiar.
1) Customer Obsession
Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They
work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention
to competitors, they obsess over customers.
2) Ownership
Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t
sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the
entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my
job".
3) Invent and Simplify
Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from
their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look
for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here".
As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of
time.
4) Are Right, A Lot
Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and
good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their
beliefs.
5) Learn and Be Curious
Leaders are never done learning and always seek to
improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore
them.
6) Hire and Develop the Best
Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and
promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them
throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their
role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms
for development like Career Choice.
7) Insist on the Highest Standards
Leaders have relentlessly high standards - many people
may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually
raising the bar and driving their teams to deliver high quality products,
services and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the
line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.
8) Think Big
Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders
create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think
differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.
9) Bias for Action
Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are
reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.
10) Frugality
Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed
resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and invention. There are no extra points for
growing headcount, budget size or fixed expense.
11) Earn Trust
Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat
others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is
awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odor
smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best.
12) Dive Deep
Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the
details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ.
No task is beneath them.
13) 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.
14) Deliver Results
Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and
deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks,
they rise to the occasion and never settle.