Multipliers

Multipliers

A few years ago, I picked up a book called Multipliers: How The Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman with Greg McKeown. It had a massive impact on my thinking and work. The book describes leaders who are diminishers who drain intelligence, trust and energy from a team. People are scared, fearful of making mistakes, especially of being blamed.

A diminisher creates an environment based on their intelligence and strength. The consequences for the team is less productivity, engagement and motivation, and they cost the business time and money. The team's wellbeing suffers from increased sick leave, stress, anxiety, and depression.

A leader who is a multiplier develops people who can grow personally and professionally. They create a psychologically safe environment for collaboration or service and help the team. Idea's flourish, and groups can be innovative and designed with structure. When we focus on serving others and helping them, we feel a passion for giving more.

We have natural talents and are used to fulfilling a task or role within a team. For example, a hooker in a rugby’s role is to throw the ball into a lineout. A coach is to bring people together and play their game plan and understand their systems. Coaches leverage the people's potential and get the right people to create the right environment and a high-performing culture. Sports teams develop as a team as the season progresses, and there are times we know of when our form is not up to standard. Our thinking can get in the way of our performance. When we play better, we increase our productivity and can measure positive outcomes.

There are different personalities in teams. We know the introvert – the quiet types, the extroverts – the loud type and the ambiverts – a mixture between the two types. We know coaches who shout, talk or whisper, and players too. Groups are diverse, and my ability to get on well with people is to understand who they are and what makes them tick. A multiplier is being able to influence people the right way and with integrity and trust. We know when people are fake and pretend to know you and not want to talk to you. These diminishers are people who drain your energy and do not build you up or the team. You will know some in your career who did not last in sports teams and were quickly let go.

Sports teams are about teamwork, and there is no single person more significant than the team. The attributes of team players add so much knowledge and experience to new careers. Leaders are always looking for multipliers to improve team culture, collaboration, and consistency in their culture and performance. When you start to dive deeper into what that means for you, it becomes evident that you will outshine most candidates when applying for jobs and starting a business.

This excerpt is taken from my book Tackle Your Success -Personal Responsibility

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