Diminishers drain intelligence from those around them from "summary" of Multipliers by Liz Wiseman,Greg McKeown
Diminishers have a knack for making those around them feel smaller. They tend to be more interested in showcasing their own intelligence than in drawing out the intelligence of others. This behavior drains the collective intelligence of the team, stifling creativity and innovation in the process. When people feel belittled or marginalized, they are less likely to contribute their ideas and insights, leading to missed opportunities and subpar results.
One of the ways in which diminishers drain intelligence is by shutting down debate and discussion. They have a tendency to dominate conversations, dismissing opposing viewpoints and insisting on their own way. This creates a culture of fear and conformity, where people are afraid to voice their opinions for fear of being shut down or belittled. As a result, valuable perspectives are lost, and the team's decision-making process suffers.
Diminishers also tend to micromanage their team members, undermining their confidence and autonomy. By constantly second-guessing their employees and hovering over their shoulders, diminishers signal that they do not trust their team to do their jobs effectively. This erodes morale and motivation, as people feel micromanaged and undervalued. In this environment, creativity and innovation are stifled, as people are too afraid to take risks or think outside the box.
Furthermore, diminishers often fail to recognize and leverage the unique strengths and talents of their team members. Instead of empowering people to do their best work, they assign tasks based on their own biases and assumptions. This results in underutilization of talent and missed opportunities for growth and development. When people are not able to fully express their capabilities, the team as a whole suffers, as potential innovations and breakthroughs are left untapped.
In contrast, Multipliers are leaders who amplify the intelligence of those around them. They create a safe and inclusive environment where people feel empowered to share their ideas and take risks. By encouraging debate and valuing diverse perspectives, Multipliers foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. They trust their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, leading to increased motivation and engagement. As a result, Multipliers are able to unlock the full potential of their team, driving higher performance and better results.
