In the Meeting Leader Certification program, we underscore the critical importance of the pre-meeting phase—it's the foundation that determines 80% of a meeting's effectiveness. A cornerstone of our discussion is the celebrated Amazon 6-Pager. After a recent webinar, a participant's curiosity led to a deeper exploration of this method. While I've never been part of Amazon's team, I draw heavily on insights from Jesse Freeman , a former Amazon employee, for this exploration. (Jesse Freeman's article: "The Anatomy of an Amazon 6-Pager" behind a paywall).
Adam Grant 's observation encapsulates the essence of why the six-pager is so effective: "The best way to gauge the quality of someone's ideas isn't through their speech but their writing. Eloquent speakers can obscure weak logic with charisma, whereas writing demands clarity of thought." This principle underlines the transformative power of structured documentation in unearthing the clarity and depth of ideas, inspiring leaders to emulate the six-pager's discipline.
Before we dive in, I want to state that the Amazon 6-Pager, as discussed here, is not a panacea or the right tool for every meeting. It's meant to be used for strategic decision-making meetings and not your weekly team meetings or project status meetings.
Breaking Down the Amazon Six-Pager
Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and former CEO, emphasized that the narrative component should not exceed six pages. This constraint ensures that the author distils their thoughts succinctly. However, as Freeman points out, these documents, along with their appendices, can grow to 40 pages. Both Bezos and Freeman also point out how much work is involved in writing a "stand on its own" memo. As Jeff Bezos says in the interview below, "PowerPoint is easy for the author and hard for the audience. And a memo is the opposite." That said, let's delve into its components:
1. Introduction: Setting the Stage with Precision
"Writing a six-pager is like preparing a master's thesis on your business's strategy," Jesse Freeman says of the rigours of crafting the Amazon six-pager. This analogy highlights the importance of starting with a clear and concise introduction that sets the tone and direction for the entire document. A successful introduction demands attention to detail and a deep understanding of the subject matter.
2. Goals: Defining the Path to Success
Freeman emphasises the necessity of clear, measurable goals: "Each goal laid out is a commitment to a direction, a declaration of intent that guides every subsequent decision." This idea aligns with Grant's notion that writing crystallises thought. Thus, the goals are more than a list of objectives; they are a litmus test for the document's strategic coherence.
3. Tenets: The Philosophical Backbone
"The tenets are the soul of the six-pager, embodying the principles that drive our actions," explains Freeman. This idea was new to me and I think that it would be a fresh approach for most people. However, when I look at organisations from Apple to Rotary Clubs, they also continually reinforce their tenets and, so doing, have their documents touch on the organisation's ethos. It requires a thoughtful articulation of guiding principles that resonate with the Adam Grant quote and reflect a clear and purposeful line of thinking.
4. State of the Business: A Reality Check
Freeman remarks, "Understanding where you stand is crucial to knowing where you can go." This section demands honesty and precision, requiring writers to ground their narrative in the current reality of the business, echoing Grant's assertion that compelling writing lays bare the logic—and the gaps therein. We often provide this context in our routine update meetings and then take it for granted that people understand the current state when it comes to having strategic decision-making meetings. Be explicit and ensure that the current state of play is in your six-pager.
5. Lessons Learned: Wisdom in Reflection
"Documenting our lessons is how we grow," Freeman notes, underscoring the value of this section not just as a record of past experiences but as a foundation for future strategies. This mirrors the critical thinking Grant advocates for in writing, where each lesson learned is an opportunity to refine and clarify one's approach.
6. Strategic Priorities: Crafting the Future
"Strategic priorities are the bridge between our current state and our goals," Freeman elucidates. This section embodies the essence of structured documentation as a tool for clear thinking. It demands a detailed exposition of how each priority aligns with the goals highlighted in Part 2. It thus challenges the writer to demonstrate logical coherence and strategic foresight. Freeman points out that this part of the document is usually 50-70% of the length. This section has two parts: the prediction and the plan.
7. Appendix: The Devil in the Details
Freeman advises, "Use the appendix to support your narrative, not to distract from it." This aligns with Grant's perspective on writing as a medium that necessitates clear thinking, where the appendix serves as the repository of evidence that underpins the document's assertions without having the initial narrative wind through meticulous details that distract from the case at hand.
Beyond the Six-Pager: Using Memos, Not PowerPoints
Reflecting on Jezz Bezos' claim that "PowerPoint is easy for the author and hard for the audience. And a memo is the opposite." and that we do not want to be selling our colleagues but seeking truth, I firmly believe that adopting a memo style for all meeting documentation is better than relying on PowerPoints. Even for non-strategic meetings, a memo with a thesis and logical arguments allows you to tell a story and show your reasoning more effectively. I also appreciate Jeff Bezos' story of people interrupting presentations to ask questions you will answer later, throwing you off your rhythm and not making the meeting better. Using memos, whether two pages, six or sixty-six with all of the appendices, is a method for supporting meeting preparation and helping you lead meaningful meetings.
Conclusion: A Call to Thoughtful Communication
Drawing from Jesse Freeman and Adam Grant, this exploration highlights the significant impact structured documentation can have on meeting culture and decision-making. The Amazon 6-Pager transcends being a mere format; it represents a paradigm shift in how clear thinking, articulated through rigorous writing, can elevate organisational practices and decisions.
This journey is a practical blueprint for reimagining our approach to strategic decision-making meetings, anchored in the belief that clarity in writing mirrors clarity of thought. As Jeff Bezos states in the video above, you want "crip documents and messy meetings." Though Bezos says his meetings often run overtime, the messy part is not chaos but rather challenging conversations. Conversations that unpack ideas ensure buy-in and result in collective clarity. Documentation and preparation are foundational to achieving this. As we adopt these principles, let's strive not for mere documentation but for environments where ideas are rigorously examined, strategies refined, and visions clearly articulated and understood.
Become a Better Meeting Leader by Joining a Webinar or Attending a Workshop:
If you want to enhance your meeting management skills further, consider joining one of my free webinars this year (The next one is on March 27th). These interactive sessions, designed for small groups, cover various aspects of the journey to excellent meetings. Learn more and register here.
If you want to bring meeting management to your team, see the workshops and online training options we offer at Sherpany.
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