Notes on the book

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

By Liz Wiseman; Stephen R. Covey

Note: This book was recommended to us by Glen at DoorDash, alongside Give and Take by Adam Grant. While Grant's book is widely available, Multipliers can be harder to find, so I'm sharing the audio summary and key concept cards here for those who may be interested.

Listen to the Summaries

(generated with AI with Shan in the loop)

1. Short deep dive of core concepts

2. Longer deep dive with finance and tax examples

Key Concepts

💡 Click any card to flip and explore the details

The Multiplier Effect

Core Concepts

The Multiplier Effect

  • Multipliers: Genius Makers who access & revitalize intelligence, create collective viral intelligence
  • Diminishers: Absorbed in own intelligence, stifle others, deplete capability
  • 2x Impact: Get ~2x capability from people (1.97x-2.1x), extract 100%+ capacity
  • Logic: Multiplication (resource leverage) vs Addition (need more resources)
  • Assumption: People are smart & will figure it out (vs intelligence is scarce/static)

The Five Disciplines

of the Multiplier

The Five Disciplines

  • 1. Talent Magnet: Look for talent everywhere, find native genius, utilize at fullest, remove blockers
  • 2. Liberator: Create space, demand best work, generate rapid learning cycles, create intense environment
  • 3. Challenger: Seed opportunity, lay down challenge, generate belief in what's possible
  • 4. Debate Maker: Frame debate, create safety & demand rigor, make firm decisions, build collective intelligence
  • 5. Investor: Define ownership, invest resources (teach/coach), hold accountable, create independence

Accidental Diminishers

Best intentions, negative effects

Accidental Diminishers

  • Idea Guy: Over-sharing ideas
  • Always On: Too energetic/dominating
  • Rescuer: Helps too much, prevents struggle
  • Pacesetter: Sets high personal standard, creates spectators
  • Rapid Responder: Quick to solve, creates apathy
  • Optimist: Glosses over difficulty
  • Protector: Shields team from reality
  • Strategist: Too visionary/prescriptive
  • Perfectionist: Insists on 100% right
  • Minimize by: Seek feedback, lead with intention, do less and challenge more

Dealing with Diminishers

Strategies for survival & offense

Dealing with Diminishers

Level 1: Defenses (Survival)

  • Turn down the volume (ignore noise)
  • Strengthen other connections
  • Assert your capability
  • Ask for performance intel
  • Shop for a new boss

Level 2: Multiplying Up (Offense)

  • Exploit boss's strengths
  • Give them a user's guide
  • Listen to learn
  • Invite them to the party

Accelerating Development

Becoming a Multiplier

Accelerating Development

  • Shift Core Assumptions: Headpin effect - change fundamental beliefs
  • Work the Extremes: Neutralize a weakness OR top off a strength to become world-class
  • Run Experiments: Small successive efforts, 30-day challenges
  • Brace for Setbacks: Accept that change is non-linear
  • Ask a Colleague: Accelerates development through feedback and accountability
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