As professionals climb the career ladder, leadership books become part of their essential toolkit. For those on the path of continuous learning and leadership refinement, “Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman is a critical addition to your library.
Here’s why.
Wiseman introduces us to an empowering breed of leaders she coins ‘Multipliers’. These are the Genius Makers who apply their intelligence to amplify the capabilities and smarts of their teams. My key takeaway? Being a Multiplier is not about being the Genius; it’s about catalyzing others’ intellectual skill. Every organization could reap the benefits of nurturing such leaders.
Supported by research from eminent psychologists, “The Multiplier” shows that intelligence can grow and express itself fruitfully in enriching environments. Thanks to Carol Dweck’s work on Growth Mindsets, Eric Turkheimer’s studies on intelligence shifts due to environmental changes, and Richard Nisbett’s findings on societal IQ evolution, we understand that leadership can have a profound effect on the cognitive growth of teams.
The core message that Wiseman presents—that Multipliers can extract twice the capability out of their resources—strikes a resonant chord within me. In my experience as an Agile Coach, I’ve seen the importance of unearthing the latent potential of the organization to drive outcomes and sustainable improvements.
The book drives home the distinction between ‘Diminishers’ and ‘Multipliers’, presenting it not as a binary set but as a spectrum where one can evolve toward being a Multiplier. Leaders must recognize the untapped intelligence in their teams and avoid the “being the smartest person in the room” approach that often stifles creativity and energy.
At first glance, it may be hard to distinguish a ‘Multiplier’ leader from a ‘Diminisher’ leader. There are many similarities. Both have strong business acumen and are customer-driven. They also surround themselves with smart people and are often considered thought leaders in their own domain. However, Wiseman’s five disciplines —Talent Magnet, Liberator, Challenger, Debate Maker, and Investor—provide the clear distinction between a Multiplier, and a Diminisher.
For instance, the Liberating discipline, which gives team members the space to think, act and make decisions, struck a particular chord with me. It reminded me of times when fostering an open, innovative environment allowed teams that I coached to produce their best work. It’s a validation of the space Multipliers create for brilliant ideas to breathe and flourish.
For those captivated by the desire to seed their organizations with more Multipliers, Wiseman’s book is an invaluable collection. Whether you’re an executive coach, business leader, or a transformation champion, “Multipliers” offers you a timeless model.
In subsequent articles, we will dive deeper into the realms of Multiplier leadership. We’ll unpack the subtleties of the 5 Disciplines of the Multiplier, ‘Accidental Diminishers’, and navigate the transformative path to Multiplier enlightenment.
For those seeking to not just lead, but also magnify the wisdom around them, “Multipliers” by Liz Wiseman is a highly recommended read. It serves as a manifesto for those who are determined to spread intelligence throughout their professional journey.
—
Stay tuned as we delve into the dynamics of empowering leadership that uplifts the collective potential, rather than undermining it.
In case you missed it, we also reviewed Em Campbell-Pretty’s Tribal Unity, another great book that deals with building a strong team. Make sure to check it out!