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.
Amazon Leadership Principles
Our favourite Amazon Leadership Principle questions always seem to be around Invent and Simplify. This is a great interview question to show off your skills in improving processes. It’s up there with Learn and Be Curious as the strongest signal we’ve seen for how well you will do in the ambiguous environment of Amazon.
Some of the best answers we’ve seen actually focus on improving smaller processes. These are strong because they allow you to show high ownership through fixing things outside of your core role. In an innovative business like Amazon, interviewers expect you to be able to fix customer issues and show that you have thought about building mechanisms to make sure that your fixes stay as a part of the core workflow.
How do I answer Invent and Simplify Questions as an Individual Contributor?
As a potential candidate for Amazon, it is crucial to prioritize simplification and consistently encourage innovation to drive change in inefficient or unnecessarily complex processes. This can be achieved by actively seeking opportunities to streamline workflows and eliminate unnecessary complexities. When providing examples during the interview, make sure to highlight instances where you have simplified processes and motivated others to do the same. This demonstrates your ability to not only identify areas for improvement but also to inspire and lead others towards more efficient practices.
Additionally, leveraging new ideas and methods to enhance your performance and deliver an exceptional customer experience is highly valued at Amazon. Be proactive in seeking out innovative approaches, whether it’s adopting emerging technologies or exploring novel strategies. It is important to provide concrete examples during the interview where you have utilized new ideas to improve your own work and positively impact the customer experience. This showcases your ability to align yourself with customer needs and drive continuous improvement.
Furthermore, the ability to generate and implement great ideas and simple solutions is a distinguishing factor. When providing examples of your achievements, focus on instances where you have come up with innovative approaches to solve complex problems, while prioritizing simplicity. This demonstrates your creative thinking and ability to find practical solutions that have a tangible impact.
Equally important is the ability to recognize when not to reinvent the wheel. Highlight examples where you have understood and leveraged existing solutions or practices that were already effective and efficient. This shows your ability to analyze situations critically and make informed decisions that optimize resources and maximize results.
How do I answer the Invent and Simplify Amazon Interview Questions as a Manager?
To answer the invent and simplify questions as a manager, during your Amazon interview you should make sure to cover off the following:
Have you created an environment that encourages breakthrough thinking that is simple?
As a manager at Amazon, it is crucial to foster an environment that promotes breakthrough thinking while also ensuring simplicity. This can be achieved by encouraging innovation and invention for the right reasons. By providing support and guidance, you can help your team members avoid unnecessary reinvention of the wheel. By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, you can inspire innovative solutions that are simple and effective.
Do you simplify and always encourage others to innovate and change inefficient or unnecessarily complex processes?
Simplification is key to driving efficiency and success within any organization. As a manager at Amazon, it is important to continuously evaluate processes and identify areas that can be streamlined. Encouraging your team members to innovate and change inefficient or unnecessarily complex processes is vital for creating a culture of continuous improvement. By embracing new ideas and methods, you not only help your team members perform their job better, but also enhance the overall customer experience.
Example Invent and Simplify Questions
Tell me about the most innovative thing you’ve done and why you thought it was innovative
Tell me about a time you were able to make something significantly simpler for customers. What drove you to implement this change?
Give an example of a creative idea you had that proved really difficult to implement. What was the idea and what made it difficult to implement? Was it
successful?
Example Manager Invent and Simplify Questions
How do you draw new thinking and innovation out of your team? Give an example of how your approach led to a specific innovation.
Tell me about a time when you have enabled your team/ a team member to implement a significant change or improvement. (Manager)
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If you want to go over your behavioural answers with someone who has experience both giving and receiving interviews at Amazon, you can book a free half hour no-obligation call with us.