February 7, 2024

What kind of Multiplier are you?

Liz Wiseman's instant leadership classic,"Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter," highlights the transformative power of positive leadership. 

Wiseman cleverly drops folks into two buckets:

1. Multipliers

2. And, Diminishers

Multipliers are leaders who leverage the intelligence and talents of their team to the fullest. They create an environment where people feel empowered, valued, and capable of contributing their best work. 

On the other hand, Diminishers are leaders who stifle the intelligence and potential of their team members. They dominate conversations, often micromanage, and fail to recognize the strengths and contributions of others. 

As a result, their teams feel disengaged, demotivated, and less productive.

I reckon we’ve all worked for (and been at one time or another) a Diminisher. 

Wouldn't you agree?

The good news is that we’re all capable of becoming a Multiplier.

Which is what I wanted to dive into with you about today.

Here are Wiseman’s 5 Types of Multipliers:

1. Talent Magnets.

2. Liberators.

3. Challengers.

4. Debate Makers.

5. Investors.

First up are the Talent Magnets. These leaders have an uncanny knack for spotting potential and nurturing it into brilliance. They intuitively know who's got "it." And, they create environments where every team member feels valued, empowered, and driven to excel.

Next, we have the Liberators. These are the leaders who trust their teams to deliver, empowering them with autonomy and freedom. Liberators create spaces where creativity thrives, innovation flourishes, and breakthroughs happen. They are truly led by faith in the collective good they see in others.

Then there are the Challengers. They set the bar pretty high and push their teams to surpass it. Challengers work hard at fostering cultures of continuous improvement, where every setback is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Debate Makers thrive on diversity of thought and healthy dissent. They create environments where ideas clash, perspectives collide, and the best solutions rise to the surface through healthy debate and a bit of discussion. And, they aren't afraid to ruffle some feathers if there's something significant at stake.

Last but not least, we have the Investors. These brilliant leaders invest in the growth and development of their team members, seeing them not just as employees, but as valuable contributors. Through mentorship, coaching, and targeted learning opportunities, Investors cultivate a culture of continuous learning and personal development with hope-filled intention.

I’m curious, which type of Multiplier are you? 

Or, are you a combination of a couple of these archetypes

You see my friend, to be a Multiplier means we have to understand that our success is intertwined with the success of everyone on our team. We have the moral imperative to leverage our influence to create the kind of environments where everyone (And, I mean everyone) can thrive.

It's not just about leading from the front.

It's about empowering others to lead from within.

Or, as I've said before: The first person we lead is ourselves.

In the end, Multipliers aren't just leaders, we're visionaries, change agents, and champions of possibility. 

I truly believe you have it in you to inspire greatness in others. To live a legacy of empowerment and transformation that extends far beyond your current job, title or role. To make a positive dent in your corner of the world. 

So work on becoming the Multiplier that you are, because in the words of the Liz Wiseman: 

"Multipliers get more from people because they are leaders who look beyond their own genius and focus their energy on extracting and extending the genius of others."

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Curious to learn more about being a Multiplier? Ask yourself:

1. How do I typically interact with my peers?

2. Do I actively seek out and recognize their strengths?

3. Am I open to new ideas and feedback?

4. How do I handle challenges and conflicts with others?

5. What are my priorities as a leader?

Then ask a few folks in your orbit these questions:

1. How do I help you feel empowered and valued in your role?

2. How do you perceive my approach to leadership and team collaboration?

3. Are there specific ways I could better support your growth and development?

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Thanks as always for reading. Forward or share this with your professional network so they can discover what kind of Multiplier they are, too. It's a conversation worth having.

Steve Knox | Houston, Texas