The tech giants—Amazon, Facebook (now Meta), Google, Netflix, Apple, and Microsoft—aren’t just successful because of their products; they’re driven by powerful leadership principles that shape everything they do.

Their strong leadership principles guide how they operate, make decisions, reflect unique culture and approach to business.

Whether it’s Amazon’s relentless focus on the customer, Google’s “Googliness,” or Netflix’s blend of freedom and responsibility, these principles guide leaders in making decisions that drive success.

Here’s a look at some of the key leadership principles from these companies and how they shape their success.

1. Amazon: Customer Obsession and Ownership

Amazon is famous for its 16 Leadership Principles, but two of the most important are Customer Obsession and Ownership.

a. Customer Obsession

Amazon’s entire business revolves around its customers. Leaders at Amazon are expected to start with the customer and work backwards.

Every decision, big or small, is made with the customer in mind, ensuring that the company continuously improves its services and products to meet customer needs.

Jeff Bezos famously kept an empty chair in meetings to represent the customer, reminding everyone of who really matters. It’s not just about pleasing customers; it’s about innovating on their behalf.

b. Ownership

Working at Amazon means you’re not just doing a job—you’re building something as if it’s your own company.

It encourages leaders to act like owners, not just employees by taking responsibility for their work and the success of the company as a whole.

They think long-term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term gains. This principle ensures that every leader is fully invested in Amazon’s success.

2. Meta (Facebook): Move Fast and Be Open

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has leadership principles that emphasize agility and transparency.

a. Move Fast

Meta believes in the power of speed.

The idea is that taking action quickly, even if it means breaking things along the way, allows for faster learning and innovation.

While they’ve toned down the “breaking things” part, the essence remains: speed over perfection. This approach helped them outpace competitors and adapt quickly in the ever-changing tech world.

b. Be Open

Transparency is key at Meta.

Leaders are expected to be open in their communication, sharing information freely with their teams and encouraging collaboration.

Mark Zuckerberg is known for his weekly Q&A sessions with employees, where he answers tough questions.

This openness fosters a culture of trust and enables teams to work together more effectively.

3. Google: Focus on the User and 10x Thinking

Google’s leadership principles emphasize user-centricity and bold innovation.

a. Focus on the User

Google’s motto, “Focus on the user, and all else will follow,” reflects its commitment to delivering the best user experience.

Whether it’s refining search algorithms or creating user-friendly interfaces, the user’s experience is always at the forefront.

Leaders are tasked with understanding the needs of their users and ensuring that Google’s products and services are designed to meet those needs.

b. 10x Thinking

Google encourages its leaders to think big—10 times bigger, to be exact.

This principle pushes leaders to pursue ambitious goals and not just settle for incremental improvements. It’s this mindset that has driven some of Google’s most innovative products, from search to self-driving cars.

Instead of improving things by 10%, Google encourages its leaders to think about how they can improve things by 10 times. This big-thinking mentality led to innovations like Google Maps and Google Photos.

And let’s not forget Googliness—a term that encompasses everything from being humble and helpful to being quirky and embracing teamwork.

It’s not just about being smart; it’s about being smart in a way that fits Google’s unique culture.

4. Netflix: Freedom and Responsibility

Netflix is known for its unique corporate culture, which revolves around the principles of Freedom and Responsibility.

a. Freedom and Responsibility

Netflix believes that giving employees the freedom to make decisions empowers them to take ownership of their work.

Leaders are expected to hire smart, capable people, give them the freedom to do their jobs, and hold them accountable for their results.

This principle fosters a culture of innovation, where employees are encouraged to take risks and push boundaries.

b. Context, Not Control

Another related principle at Netflix is the idea of providing context instead of controlling decisions.

Rather than dictating how things should be done, leaders provide the necessary information and trust their teams to make the right decisions.

5. Apple: Simplicity and Focus

Apple’s leadership principles are deeply rooted in the company’s design philosophy, with Simplicity and Focus being central.

a. Simplicity

Apple’s obsession with simplicity is reflected in everything it does—from its product designs to its user interfaces.

Leaders at Apple are expected to cut through complexity and focus on creating simple, elegant solutions that are easy for users to understand and enjoy.

Steve Jobs once said, “Simple can be harder than complex,” but Apple’s commitment to simplicity has made it an iconic brand.

b. Focus

Apple is focused about doing fewer things but doing them exceptionally well. It doesn’t spread itself thin; it dedicates its resources to creating products that change the world, like the iPhone and the Mac.

6. Microsoft: Growth Mindset and Diversity

Under Satya Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft has embraced a Growth Mindset and Diversity and Inclusion as core principles.

a. Growth Mindset

Inspired by the work of psychologist Carol Dweck, Microsoft’s leaders are encouraged to adopt a growth mindset—believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

This principle fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where employees are encouraged to take on challenges and learn from their mistakes.

b. Diversity and Inclusion

Microsoft places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce leads to better ideas and innovation.

Leaders are expected to build inclusive teams where every voice is heard and valued, ensuring that the company benefits from a wide range of perspectives.