Why the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

There is something powerful about leaders who walk into a room and make the whole team sharper, more confident, and more creative. They are not trying to outshine anyone. They are there to unlock potential. Liz Wiseman calls them Multipliers. Once you understand what they do differently, it changes the way you lead forever.

In every business, team, or startup, you will find two types of leaders. Multipliers bring out the brilliance in others. Diminishers, often without realising it, shrink the room. Not physically, but in terms of energy and ideas. Diminishers tend to micromanage, control decisions, and unknowingly stifle growth. Their teams may survive. They rarely thrive.

Multipliers create environments where people think deeply, take ownership, and grow beyond what they thought possible. These leaders ask smart questions. They challenge assumptions. They encourage others to lead with confidence.

This is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about being the kind of leader who makes space for other voices to rise. The one who notices potential and helps it grow.

To become a Multiplier, start with intention. Ask more questions. Step back to allow others to step forward. Trust people to handle real problems and give them space to own the outcome. Set ambitious goals. Coach your team to rise to the challenge. Celebrate progress publicly. Give credit freely. Invite thoughtful debate. Allow healthy tension to guide the group toward clarity.

Many leaders fall into the trap of being accidental Diminishers. They might flood conversations with ideas or step in too quickly to offer help. These habits feel supportive on the surface. The effect is often the opposite. The team’s growth stalls. Awareness makes all the difference.

Being a Multiplier is a choice you make daily. It does not require brilliance. It requires belief in the brilliance of others.

Ask yourself one question. Do I walk into the room to impress people, or to help them rise?