I Run My Household Based on Amazon LPs

It works better than you think...

This is a little embarrassing, and I can feel my wife rolling her eyes as I write, but I sometimes struggle to turn off my work brain. We all do.

The embarrassing part is that the other day I started to think about my marriage and family through the lens of Amazon Leadership Principles.

Elite-level career-nerd status achieved.

Despite it feeling a little silly, I can’t help but think about how naturally a lot of our marriage fits into the LPs that have been carefully crafted over many years.

Here's how these principles have become a natural part of how we approach everything from scheduling and finances to conflict resolution and long-term planning.

1. Customer Obsession: Our Family as the Customers

At Amazon, the first principle is to obsess over customers--making their experience better, anticipating their needs, and delivering results that exceed expectations. In our household, this translates to putting our family’s well-being at the center of every decision.

We both think of our children and each other as our most important "customers." Every Sunday, my wife leads a weekly "family meeting" where we go over our schedule for the upcoming week. We discuss everything from schedules to meals, as well as work hours and childcare needs. It's a holistic approach to ensure everyone's needs are met.

By doing this, we anticipate potential friction points, such as late work nights or schedule conflicts, and we resolve them before they cause tension. By being "obsessed" with each other’s needs and the family’s overall well-being, we ensure that we're on the same page and that no one feels left out or unsupported.

2. Ownership

In our family, my wife and I share responsibilities for both short-term and long-term goals. She is the “Chief Operations Officer” of the household, and oversees more of the day-to-day logistics. I often handle more of the financial side, but these roles are fluid. We both take ownership of making sure everything runs smoothly.

For instance, while she may focus more on scheduling the kids’ activities or planning our meals, I often take the lead on our budgeting and financial planning. Every few months, we sit down and review our longer-term goals, such as saving for a vacation or preparing for an upcoming large expense. We hold each other accountable to our roles but remain flexible when life throws curveballs.

Just like at Amazon, where leaders are expected to own the outcomes, not just "do their jobs," we both take ownership over the success of our household. If something’s not working, we tackle it together rather than pointing fingers.

3. Bias for Action

"Bias for Action" is a hallmark of Amazon’s culture, and it’s critical for any fast-paced environment where decisions need to be made quickly. In our household, we apply this principle in how we approach decision-making.

There are times when lengthy discussions just aren’t practical--whether it’s deciding on a weekend plan or handling an unexpected expense. We trust each other’s instincts to make swift, effective decisions. Much like in Amazon’s “one-way door” decision-making process, we prioritize action over perfection when it comes to smaller issues. Then, we reserve deeper discussions for larger, more impactful decisions.

For example, when it comes to day-to-day family logistics like picking up the kids or managing the grocery list, one of us will just take the initiative. We don’t wait for perfect alignment or debate every minor decision. We commit, execute, and adapt if needed. This keeps us moving forward and reduces stress.

4. Disagree and Commit

Marriage, like business, involves disagreements. When two people are balancing their personal needs, professional obligations, and family responsibilities, conflicts are inevitable. This is where Amazon’s principle of "Disagree and Commit" has become invaluable.

There are moments when my wife and I aren’t on the same page--whether it's about parenting decisions or budget priorities. We approach these disagreements by thoroughly discussing our perspectives and reasoning. But at the end of the day, we understand that sometimes, one person has to "disagree and commit" for the sake of moving forward.

For instance, when deciding on a new real estate investment, my wife and I had differing opinions about the location and timing. After a thorough discussion, we couldn’t completely agree, but I saw that she felt more strongly about it than I did. In that moment, I chose to "disagree and commit," trusting her judgment and moving forward with the decision. Ultimately, it was the right choice, and it continued to grow our mutual trust.

In the same way that Amazon executives make decisions even when full alignment isn’t possible, my wife and I respect each other’s instincts and commit to the decision because we know we’re working toward the same goals.

5. Invent and Simplify

In both work and marriage, the ability to simplify and invent new solutions is crucial. At Amazon, leaders are encouraged to find new ways to streamline processes, solve problems, and innovate. This principle has shown up in our household in many ways, especially when it comes to managing time and resources.

For example, one day our nanny was unexpectedly unavailable. We both had packed work schedules, but instead of panicking, we put our heads together and came up with a temporary, creative solution: we coordinated a family "work-from-home" day where one of us watched the kids in shifts, allowing the other to have some focus hours.

6. Learn and Be Curious

Amazon encourages its leaders to "Learn and Be Curious," always seeking to improve themselves and their work. In our marriage, this principle has shown up in our commitment to self-growth and mutual learning.

Both of us approach our relationship with curiosity--always seeking to understand each other better and to grow both as individuals and as a couple. Whether it’s learning a new parenting technique, exploring financial strategies, or simply improving our communication skills, we embrace the idea that there’s always more to learn.

This approach has deepened our connection over the years. For example, during our weekly meetings, we often reflect on what’s working in our family dynamic and what needs improvement. It’s a continuous process of iteration, much like refining a business strategy, but applied to our marriage.

Conclusion

At first, it felt strange to notice how the principles that guide my work at Amazon were influencing my marriage and family life. But over time, I realized that many of these leadership principles are universal--they’re about problem-solving, trust, accountability, and growth.

Running a household, much like running a business, requires teamwork, flexibility, and a shared commitment to long-term success. So, call me a nerd, but I don't think it is too strange that I am starting to see similarities between the way we run our family and some of the Amazon Leadership Principles!