“Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman delves into the contrasting leadership styles of Multipliers and Diminishers. Here’s a concise overview:
Multipliers: These leaders amplify the capabilities and intelligence of those around them. They are “genius makers” who enhance an organization’s collective intelligence. People working with Multipliers feel empowered, inspired, and stretch beyond their original capacity.
Diminishers: In contrast, Diminishers stifle others’ potential by being absorbed in their own genius. They underutilize talent, squash ideas, and deplete intellectual resources. Their teams suffer, and a Cycle of Decline ensues.
Five Disciplines of Multipliers:
- Talent Magnet: Multipliers attract and optimize talent, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of growth.
- Liberator: They create an environment where people can think independently and contribute fully.
- Challenger: Multipliers challenge assumptions, encouraging breakthrough thinking.
- Debate Maker: They engage in healthy debates, fostering diverse perspectives.
- Investor: Multipliers invest time and energy to develop others, multiplying their abilities.
The book provides practical tips and strategies to become a Multiplier and cultivate a Multiplier culture.