Denver Peak Academy

Overview:

“Multipliers: How The Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” is an interesting and engaging read that details what it takes for leaders to get the most out of people – ultimately leading to greater productivity. Authors Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown categorize leaders into one of two groups: Multipliers and Diminishers. Throughout the book, they guide readers through the characteristics of each with compelling examples from their research of more than 150 leaders. Multipliers, described as genius makers, empower their people through a variety of methods to make them the geniuses within the organization. Diminishers feel that they’re the smartest person (genius) in the room and that people are unable to figure things out without them. While Multipliers amplify people’s capabilities, Diminishers underutilize the capabilities of people. We likely all know leaders that fit into both categories. Which one are you?

Who is Multipliers Written For?:

Multipliers is a book that, if put into practice, will greatly benefit leaders and aspiring leaders. If you’re a leader or aspiring leader, pick up a copy and start reading! Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, praises the book saying “every so often a book comes along that forces us to ask important and difficult questions of ourselves. Multipliers is such a book. Multipliers challenges us to imagine a dramatically more productive future for our organizations—one that requires letting go of some of the very behaviors that helped get us to the top.”

Key Takeaways:

The Multiplier Effect:

Multipliers utilize 70-100% of a person’s capabilities. Diminishers utilize only 20-50% of a person’s capabilities. Because of this, leaders who are Multipliers get two times more from their people than Diminishers!

The Five Types of Diminishers and Multipliers:

Wiseman and McKeown take Multipliers and Diminishers a step further by defining five disciplines within each category. Leaders may be able to identify with one or many of the defined disciplines.

The Accidental Diminisher:

Not all leaders who fall into the category of Diminisher end up there due to malicious intent. In fact, many leaders don’t recognize the damage they’re causing as an Accidental Diminisher. New leaders are especially prone to falling within this category. People are often elevated into leadership roles due to praise around their individual talents, intelligence, and accomplishments. It’s easy to believe as a new leader that your job is to continue to be the smartest person in the room and manage a group of people in this way. Below are more examples of how leaders can be an Accidental Diminisher.

Becoming a Multiplier:

Though it can be difficult to admit, you may already be recognizing yourself as an Accidental Diminisher or a Diminisher. If that’s the case, congratulations – recognizing this in yourself is the first step on the path towards becoming a Multiplier! It won’t be easy and it won’t happen overnight, but leaders CAN change and lead their team as a Multiplier. To get started with that change, give “Multipliers: How The Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” a read. It’ll be worth your time!

Additional Resources:

Multipliers Book Link: http://multipliersbooks.com/ 

Are you an Accidental Diminisher? Find Out!: http://multipliersbooks.com/multipliers/take-the-quiz/#.XEtN_ZNKi70

Denver Public Library Catalog Book Link: https://catalog.denverlibrary.org/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.6&cn=1184712

Denver Public Library eBook Link: https://denver.overdrive.com/media/345307

Peak Academy Library Link (For CCD Employees): https://www.librarything.com/catalog/PeakAcademy