Multipliers

"This was an excellent read - highly recommend!"

"If this book was a handful of blog posts, it would have been less disappointing than it was as a book. The endless examples, lack of definitive advice to overcome being an "accidental diminisher", and even the cue in the first chapter implying that anyone disagreeing with the conclusions they draw might be a diminisher all contribute to my negative opinion. Nevertheless, there are some positive things to be gained from the read.<br/><br/>This book does a good job reinforcing what seems like common-sense leadership. It is probably a very beneficial read for people who really are, as described, diminishers. I can think of a handful of managers/leaders that I've encountered that would benefit from seeing how their behavior affects the people that they lead.<br/><br/>As a result of this read, I've formed some new opinions about the different kinds of leaders. One thing that struck me heavily in this book is that is seems directed solely at people who lead in a management role. Their advice does not seem to apply well to people who need to lead in terms of being the ideators that these leaders rely on. The book is conspicuously lacking in presenting mechanisms for making decisions within the leadership style that they promote.<br/>I hesitate to admit that there are portions of this book that have been beneficial in my recent work. I am trying to employ some of the suggestions that they make as I move projects forward, particularly creating space for others and becoming a debate maker.<br/><br/>Having filled out the online survey, the authors seem to suggest that I am an accidental diminisher. However, the type of leadership I'm relied upon for at work varies depending on the hat I wear that day. Am I really a diminisher in the scenarios when I am leading a group but not expected to contribute expertise? Or does the fact that I am often counted on for the expertise I provide preclude me from being the kind of leader that this book seems focused on? Am I really not a leader at all?<br/><br/>This book was not a waste of time, as much as what I've conveyed in our weekly book club meetings might have suggested. I can't help but think that the natural conclusions of this book might have been better illustrated as a mere side effect within the context of a better book"