Multipliers

How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

by Liz Wiseman, Greg McKeown

4.4(1,276 ratings)

12 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how leaders can multiply the intelligence and abilities of the people around them instead of stifling them. It highlights distinct leadership behaviors that turn ordinary teams into high-performing, engaged groups ready to tackle complex challenges. By examining both diminishing and multiplying styles, it offers a practical roadmap to help readers adopt more empowering ways of leading.

Introduction

Imagine leaving a meeting feeling energized, respected, and smarter. This opening image highlights what happens when you work with a leader who taps your boldest ideas rather than overshadowing them. In many workplaces, people either thrive or shrink, depending on who leads them. There are leaders who draw out the best in others and those who operate like intellectual vacuums.

This book focuses on those leaders who expand the capabilities of their teams. They create environments where individuals contribute fully and find meaning in their work. By exposing the contrasting qualities of 'Diminishers' and 'Multipliers,' it illustrates how a shift in mindsets can double performance.

We all know an enthusiastic manager who empowers everyone to excel, and a demanding boss who leaves no room for other voices. The difference boils down to how they perceive intelligence: is it scarce and personal, or abundant and accessible? This initial insight sets the stage for a deeper look into why Multipliers achieve extraordinary outcomes while also nurturing the growth of those around them.

People want to feel smart and valued—leaders who provide that environment get far more in return.

The Power of Multipliers

At the heart of this book is the principle that Multipliers harness the collective intelligence of their teams. Instead of proving they are the smartest person in the room, they ask probing questions and invite fresh perspectives. Through this approach, they not only tap into 100% of people’s capacity but also expand it. Team members feel essential because they are, in fact, shaping critical decisions.

The data shows that people working under Multipliers often give back two times their usual effort or more. The reasons are simple: there’s clarity of purpose, an open invitation to innovate, and a mutual respect that cultivates trust. Organizations led by these individuals become competitive and adaptive, no matter how challenging the external pressures.

It’s not about soft, feel-good management. Multipliers are exacting, hold high standards, and expect excellence. Yet they balance their demands with freedom for team members to find their own paths to solutions. This delicate mix of high challenge and genuine support explains their exceptional track records.

"All good ideas start as bad ideas. That’s why it takes so long."

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What is Multipliers about?

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown offers a transformative framework for leadership that shifts focus from individual brilliance to collective efficacy. This book uncovers the stark distinctions between "Multipliers," leaders who amplify the intelligence and capabilities of others, and "Diminishers," those who inadvertently underutilize their teams. By integrating insightful anecdotes and empirical research, this book unravels the art of maximizing team potential through five integral disciplines that cultivate environments conducive to engagement and innovation.

Located at the nexus of leadership and organizational behavior, Multipliers provides potent strategies for leaders eager to enhance team productivity, foster robust collaboration, and ignite a culture of learning. The value proposition here is clear: by nurturing more capable individuals, Multipliers cultivate organizations marked by resilience and adaptability, enabling them to thrive amidst complexity and change. This book challenges the status quo, urging leaders to evolve from demand-driven practices to empowering styles that instigate sustainable success.

Whether you're leading a small business or navigating global enterprise challenges, Multipliers equips you with practical tools to drive meaningful change. Its impact ripples across various sectors, transforming sound strategies into actions that unlock unprecedented levels of intelligence and creativity within teams.

Review of Multipliers

Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown's groundbreaking work in Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter showcases the enduring potential of leadership rooted in inclusivity and collective empowerment. The authors unravel the enigma of why some leaders elicit the best in their teams while others largely stifle potential. Drawing on diverse stories from the business world, academia, and even politics, the narrative unveils the defining traits and behaviors of Multipliers – those leaders who nurture capabilities rather than curtailing them.

The book's strength lies in its blend of insightful theory with tangible real-world examples, providing readers with actionable strategies to embrace a multiplying leadership style. It meticulously breaks down five disciplines that characterize Multipliers: talent magnetism, liberating environments, challenging with purpose, fostering debate, and entrusting ownership. This framework is not prescriptive but adaptable, allowing leaders across different domains to implement its principles without feeling constrained. The writing style is both engaging and accessible, ensuring that complex ideas are conveyed with clarity and coherence, making it an invaluable guide for leaders at all levels.

Particularly significant is the book’s focus on overcoming diminishing tendencies, offering practical steps to transform into a Muliplier. This shift in leadership not only accelerates organizational growth but also creates a culture of resilience and innovation. Recommended unreservedly, Multipliers stands out as an essential resource for professionals eager to cultivate leadership excellence and fuel collective intelligence.

Who should read Multipliers?

Team Leaders and Managers - They benefit by learning how to inspire their teams to reach peak performance without micromanaging.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners - These individuals can find actionable insights on harnessing their team's potential to gain competitive advantage.
Educators and Academic Leaders - This group learns how to transform educational settings into thriving environments of intellectual growth.
HR Professionals and Organizational Consultants - They can enhance their methodologies in talent development and leadership training through the book's principles.
Anyone seeking Personal Development - Individuals eager to optimize their leadership potential and drive personal growth will find the book's insights invaluable.

About the author

Liz Wiseman, MBA, and Greg McKeown, MBA, are the co-authors of "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter". Liz Wiseman is the president of The Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development center, and has 17 years of experience as the global leader for human resource development at Oracle Corporation. She holds a BS in business management and a master's in organizational behavior from Brigham Young University. Greg McKeown is the CEO of McKeown Inc., a leadership and strategy design agency, and has written two New York Times bestsellers, "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" and "Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most". He earned his MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.