Multipliers - by Liz Wiseman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Originally published in 2010 by Harper Business, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

A revised and updated edition of the acclaimed Wall Street Journal bestseller that explores why some leaders drain capability and intelligence from their teams while others amplify it to produce better results.

We've all had experience with two dramatically different types of leaders. The first type drains intelligence, energy, and capability from the people around them and always needs to be the smartest person in the room. These are the idea killers, the energy sappers, the diminishers of talent and commitment. On the other side of the spectrum are leaders who use their intelligence to amplify the smarts and capabilities of the people around them. When these leaders walk into a room, light bulbs go off over people's heads; ideas flow and problems get solved. These are the leaders who inspire employees to stretch themselves to deliver results that surpass expectations. These are the Multipliers. And the world needs more of them, especially now when leaders are expected to do more with less.

In this engaging and highly practical book, leadership expert Liz Wiseman explores these two leadership styles, persuasively showing how Multipliers can have a resoundingly positive and profitable effect on organizations--getting more done with fewer resources, developing and attracting talent, and cultivating new ideas and energy to drive organizational change and innovation.

In analyzing data from more than 150 leaders, Wiseman has identified five disciplines that distinguish Multipliers from Diminishers. These five disciplines are not based on innate talent; indeed, they are skills and practices that everyone can learn to use--even lifelong and recalcitrant Diminishers. Lively, real-world case studies and practical tips and techniques bring to life each of these principles, showing you how to become a Multiplier too, whether you are a new or an experienced manager. This revered classic has been updated with new examples of Multipliers, as well as two new chapters one on accidental Diminishers, and one on how to deal with Diminishers.

Just imagine what you could accomplish if you could harness all the energy and intelligence around you. Multipliers will show you how.

From the Back Cover

A revised and updated edition of the acclaimed national bestseller that explores why some leaders drain capability and intelligence from their teams while others amplify THEM to produce better results

We've all had experience with two dramatically different types of leaders. The first type drain intelligence, energy, and capability from the people around them and always need to be the smartest ones in the room. These are the idea killers, the energy sappers, the diminishers of talent and commitment. On the other side of the spectrum are leaders who use their intelligence to amplify the smarts and capabilities of the people around them. When these leaders walk into a room, light bulbs go off over people's heads; ideas flow and problems get solved. These are the leaders who inspire employees to stretch themselves to deliver results that surpass expectations. These are the Multipliers. And the world needs more of them, especially now, when leaders are expected to do more with less.

In this engaging and highly practical book, leadership expert Liz Wiseman explores these two leadership styles, persuasively showing how Multipliers can have a resoundingly positive and profitable effect on organizations--getting more done with fewer resources, developing and attracting talent, and cultivating new ideas and energy to drive organizational change and innovation.

In analyzing data from more than two hundred leaders, Wiseman has identified five disciplines that distinguish Multipliers from Diminishers. These five disciplines are not based on innate talent; indeed, they are skills and practices that everyone can learn to use--even lifelong and recalcitrant Diminishers. Lively, real-world case studies and practical tips and techniques bring to life each of these principles, showing you how to become a Multiplier too, whether you are a new or an experienced manager. This revered classic has been updated with new examples of Multipliers as well as two new chapters on accidental Diminishers and how to deal with Diminishers.

Just imagine what you could accomplish if you could harness all the energy and intelligence surrounding you. Multipliers, Revised and Updated will show you how.

Review Quotes

Multipliers is a great manifesto for today s leaders. The authors provide a hands-on guide showing leaders how to make their total organization smarter by tapping the brainpower of everyone at all levels. A very timely and insightful book. --Noel Tichy co-author of Judgment with Warren Bennis, and Professor of Management & Organizations at the University of Michigan"

A well-organized system that could be used as a personal tool or as a workbook for team-development seminars. --Booklist"

The authors succeed brilliantly in addressing a critical but unexplored phenomenon-- how leaders unleash smarts and capability in others. Multipliers is a must read for all those who aspire to lead in the knowledge economy. --C.K. Prahalad, Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor, University of Michigan and author of The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid"

Multipliers is a compelling read. A must have manual for any in a leadership position or aspiring to become a leader. It s obvious Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown did their homework and those of us who read Multipliers are all the better for it. ----Byron Pitts, 60 Minutes"

A fascinating book that shows how mindsets shape the way people lead. This book will forever change the way we think about leadership. ----Carol Dweck, Lewis & Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Stanford University; author of Mindset"

As managers around the world grapple with a complex economic environment, this book provides a rich roadmap for extracting the full value of the people in their organizations. This book is a great investment for anyone managing a business in the innovation marketplace. ----Jeff Henley, chairman of the board, Oracle Corporation"

As Lincoln famously put the question: How do leaders bring out the better angels of our nature? Multiplers gets closer to answering this fundamental leadership question than anything I ve read in years. ----Warren Bennis, Distinguished and University Professor at the University of Southern California and author of Still Surprised: A Memoir of of a Life in Leadership."

Every so often a book comes along that forces us to ask important and difficult questions of ourselves. Multipliers is such a book. Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown challenge us to imagine a dramatically more productive future for our organizations ----Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO"

In over 30 years of evaluating executives it was clear to me that some achieved much more than others, but it wasn t always clear why. Wiseman and McKeown present a fresh and compelling analysis of how Multipliers create value while others destroy it. ----Tom Friel, Former CEO and Chairman of the Board, Heidrick & Struggles"

Multipliers is brilliant and extraordinarily timely! It belongs on the bookshelf of every leader-and every leadership scholar. ----Roderick M. Kramer, William R. Kimball Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford University Graduate School of Business"

This book touches upon such a fundamental truth about leadership one that has been waiting to be named, explored, and finally addressed. Liz and Greg have created a language that will be with us for a very long time impacting millions. --Verne Harnish, Founder, Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), CEO, Gazelles"

This book will speak to every CEO and CFO. Multipliers get so much from their people that they effectively double their workforce for free. ----John Doerr, General Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers"

This engaging and subversive book asks a vital question: How can we grow and harness human talent to address the great issues of our day? Multipliers makes us rethink many of our old assumptions. ----Gareth Jones, visiting professor, IE Madrid; coauthor, Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?"

We ve all known Multipliers people who bring the best, not the worst, out of everyone around them. They re a company s greatest resource. If you want to learn how to become a Multiplier or transform others into genuine Multipliers, read on. ----Kerry Patterson, bestselling author, Crucial Conversations"

Wiseman and McKeown s insights are helpful, practical, and relevant. Any leader who needs to get more done with the same (or fewer) resources will find this book a gift and a valuable resource. ----Dave Ulrich, Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan"