Long car journeys have taken on a whole new meaning since my recent move to the Northumberland coast.
With more time on my hands (or rather, in my ears), I’ve discovered the game-changing world of audiobooks.
First up in my ‘Book Club with Rich’ series is Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman – a book that had a real impact on my leadership approach.
I chose this book after facilitating training for one of our clients, where it was mentioned that the CEO had offered to buy a copy for any employee interested in reading it, as he believed it had been so life-changing for him. That level of endorsement got my interest, and I had to see what all the fuss was about! And it didn’t let me down…
Multipliers vs. Diminishers
Wiseman explores two distinct leadership styles: Multipliers and Diminishers.
Multipliers are leaders who amplify the intelligence and capability of those around them, getting twice the productivity and effort from their teams. They create an environment where people thrive, contribute their best thinking, and feel empowered to take ownership. On the flip side, Diminishers – often unintentionally – drain energy and confidence, making decisions for others and ultimately getting less than 50% of their potential output.
Wiseman identifies key disciplines of both, highlighting how Multipliers encourage debate, instil ownership, and challenge their teams, while Diminishers inadvertently micromanage, dictate, or suppress creative thinking.
At its core, Multipliers is a guide to unboxing the full potential of those you lead. Wiseman uses extensive research and real-world examples to illustrate how small shifts in leadership behaviour can yield significant gains in team engagement and effectiveness. She explains that many leaders unintentionally become Diminishers, even with good intentions, and offers practical strategies to transition into a Multiplier mindset.
The book is both an insightful wake-up call and a roadmap for anyone looking to create a high-performing, empowered team.
Personal key takeaways
What really resonated with me was how easy it is to slip into Diminisher tendencies – often by accident. As Wiseman says:
“To lead on purpose, we must understand how we diminish by accident.”
– Liz Wiseman
This really hit home, and I’ve since made some conscious changes:
“It is better to debate a decision without settling it, than settling a decision with never debating it”
– Joseph Joubert
- Getting comfortable with conflict: I’ve embraced difficult conversations and debates, knowing they can lead to stronger outcomes and better decisions for everyone.
- Coaching, not answering: Instead of jumping in with solutions, I now challenge my team to find their own answers, guiding rather than directing – and the results have been incredible. Which leads me on lovely to the next point…
- Trusting and investing in the team: By stepping back and giving the team more autonomy, I’ve seen them take ownership, thrive, and bring their best work forward.
“Don’t assume that your role as a leader is to have all the answers”
– Liz Wiseman
One part from the book that stuck with me references Benjamin Disraeli, illustrating the difference between true leadership and self-serving leadership. It suggests that a great leader makes you feel like the cleverest person in the room, rather than making you feel like they are the cleverest person in the room.
This shift in mindset has already made a difference in my day-to-day leadership.
Rich’s rating
I’d give Multipliers a solid 86 out of 100.* It didn’t quite reach the heights of ‘The Chimp Paradox’ by Steve Peters for me, but it’s packed with insights that have changed how I lead.
If you’ve read Multipliers and want to discuss your thoughts or have a suggestion for my next book, I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message on LinkedIn or email me. Let’s keep the conversation going to minamalise Diminisher tendencies and encourage Multiplier behaviours within ourselves and others.
*Why 100 and not a simpler 5 or 10 you ask? Because it avoids rounding things up or down – you get a much clearer picture of my thoughts! And I am happy to embrace my new found love of debating with anyone who doesn’t understand my philosophy here!
