Being a good leader is an art, but being a Multiplier is a masterpiece. In her book ‘Multipliers,’ Liz Wiseman redefines leadership with a template that doesn’t just manage teams but grows them exponentially. A Multiplier is someone who extends the capabilities of those around them. They see genius in everyone, believe in inclusivity, and have the ability to amplify the intelligence and talents of the people they lead.
This post will not just explain what a Multiplier is, but also map out a tangible roadmap for you to join this powerful leadership revolution that will transform how you lead, work, and behave. This article is the final installment of a four-part series on Multipliers, which started with a book review on the said topic: Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
Before you become one, you must understand the core traits of a Multiplier.
A Multiplier:
- Instills a sense of ownership and accountability in their teams.
- Recognizes and challenges their team, pushing everyone to perform at their peak.
- Attracts and retains the best talent, as people fight for positions on their teams.
- Creates an intense work environment, requiring everyone’s best thinking and work.
These traits are encapsulated by the 5 Disciplines of a Multiplier. See our second installment of our four-part Multiplier series for more details: Evolving Towards Being a Multiplier Leader
The good news is being a Multiplier is not something that just comes naturally, or something that you are born with; it is an acquired skill. It is a shift in mindset that anyone, from a seasoned manager to a newly-appointed team leader, can develop by following these five steps.
Your outlook shapes outcomes. A Multiplier begins with a set of assumptions, which underpin their actions. They view people as smart and having the potential to figure things out, which leads to trusting employees and empowering them to make decisions. Trust is the foundation of this leadership concept.
Empowerment and Its Effects
Hand over the reins, and watch your team members flourish! Empowerment is not just a word; it’s a decisive action that fosters growth. Some organizations have encouraged leaders to practice JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out). As a leader, this means you do not have to be present for every single meeting, nor do meetings have to revolve around your schedule. Many day-to-day decisions can be made by the team without your guidance or approval. This helps develop autonomy and accountability from the team members.
Multipliers don't try to be good at everything; they work on talent extremes. They neutralize team members’ weaknesses and magnify their strengths, knowing that a strength left undeveloped is just as harmful as a weakness.
Neutralizing Weakness
Recognize the areas where your team members might struggle and provide support and training. This act of care can prevent these weaknesses from undermining the team’s overall performance. Providing skills development or retraining on technical and/or soft skills will help.
Magnifying Strengths
Identify and invest in the strengths of your team members. When you capitalize on their strengths, it propels the team forward. Leverage your team’s strength and supplement with external experts to coach or mentor the team to develop organizational capabilities.
Being a Multiplier involves pushing boundaries. Encourage your team to innovate. Run small experiments within your projects and teams and see how they flourish.
Small Experiments, Big Potential
Engage in calculated risk-taking. Small-scale initiatives with a controlled impact can lead to unexpectedly significant positive outcomes. By starting small and focusing on manageable projects, you can achieve remarkable results. Challenge your team to identify areas for improvement, like streamlining the employee onboarding process. Begin by refining your own team’s procedures to demonstrate success within your control. If these strategies prove effective, inspire other leaders in the organization to adopt them. Involve your team every step of the way to foster leadership growth and ensure a seamless transition as the initiative scales up.
Being a Multiplier is not a solo mission. You're still part of the team. Ask for help. Collaborate. Support each other.
The Power of Collaboration
Your network is your biggest asset. Working and solving problems in a team often leads to far superior results than working in isolation.
Creating a Supportive Culture
Foster an environment where asking for help and feedback is encouraged, not seen as a weakness. This collaborative culture leads to better communication and innovative solutions. It also helps minimize the risk of you unintentionally developing into an Accidental Diminisher. See our third installment blog of our four-part Multiplier series for more details: The Thin Line: Leading without Diminishing
Becoming a Multiplier takes time. It means addressing deep-rooted assumptions and creating new habits that encapsulate the Multiplier mindset.
Addressing Assumptions
Dissect your everyday actions and decisions. Are they aligned with Multiplier or Diminisher behaviors? Be willing to change your approach as needed.
Overcoming Setbacks Efficiently
Setbacks are part of the learning process. Accept that you will stumble. It’s how you recover from these episodes that define your leadership.
What’s after these five steps? Well, a Multiplier movement isn’t just about individuals behaving in this way; it’s about establishing a culture that perpetuates these values across the board. To establish a Multiplier culture, there are several cultural elements that you must focus on.
- Common Language
Develop phrases and terminology that bind your team. This shared language cements the group identity and sets expectations. - Learned Behavior
It’s not enough to talk the Multiplier talk; leaders must teach their teams these skills. Incorporate Multiplier thinking into your training and development programs. - Shared Beliefs
Shift the organizational mindset. Shared beliefs hold the team together and guide their actions.
- Heroes & Legends
Identify and celebrate moments when individuals display Multiplier behavior. This fame not only motivates the individual but provides clear examples for others.
- Rituals & Norms
Establish non-negotiables for Multiplier behavior. Make them part of your culture’s DNA.
The same cultural elements are exhibited in popular movements and programs such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) – a structured program designed to guide individuals on the path to recovery from alcoholism. Rooted in a set of principles and a twelve-step process outlined in their ‘Big Book’, AA fosters unity through shared beliefs, regular meetings, individual sponsors for support, and the power of storytelling. Across the globe, consistency reigns as members come together in harmony to support each other on their journey to sobriety.
To become a Multiplier, be bold enough to trust and empower your team, support individual growth, and be a pioneer in creating a Multiplier culture. It’s more than leadership; it’s a legacy of growth and excellence. So, embrace the Multiplier mindset and watch your team rise to new heights!
In this post, we’ve explored the characteristics of a Multiplier leader and how anyone can adopt this mindset if you put your mind to it. It begins with shifting assumptions about people’s abilities and developing a deep trust in their potential. A Multiplier focuses on magnifying strengths and neutralizing weaknesses while encouraging experimentation and collaboration. They also prepare for setbacks and continuously work towards creating a Multiplier culture within their organization.
By embracing these steps and principles, you can become a more effective leader and empower those around you to reach their full potential. It’s time to unleash the Multiplier within you and create a lasting impact as a leader. Embrace the Multiplier mindset and see the transformation in yourself and your team. Remember, leadership is not about being the best; it’s about making those around you better.
So go forth, trust, and multiply!