The Leadership Multiplier

An effective leader not only produces quality work themselves, but they also accomplish work with and through others. They do not try to carry the workload by themselves, nor do they position themselves as a bottleneck, making employees come to them before taking action. Instead, they build up their employees, train them for the job, empower them to act, and trust that they will do their part. Effective leaders know how to delegate tasks based on the employee’s individual strengths so that the team can produce at a higher, more efficient rate. Then, they celebrate both the effort and the successes, and they coach their employees when they fall short. By doing this, they act as a multiplier for performance within their organizations. 

Many people have a misconception of leadership in that they believe that being in a position of authority allows for greater personal gain, freedom from responsibility, and less rules to abide by. In reality, being in a leadership position means always demonstrating your expectations. It means building a legacy that is not just seen in yourself, but in those you lead. Leaders cannot skirt their responsibilities, nor are they above the rules. Leaders are there to align teams with organizational goals, guide employees through obstacles, use their influence for good, and build more leaders. They act as the connector between individual employees, between employees and top management, between departments and the organization as a whole, and between where the organization currently rests and where the organization desires to be. 

The reason this connection works so well in multiplying performance is because these leaders have earned their influence and their respect. They do not demand that people listen to them. They lift people up, encourage them, and equip them for success. They amplify the strengths of those around them and challenge people to do and be better. The legacy of a multiplier is seen in all of the leaders they have impacted, built up, and inspired. They don’t do it for glory. They don’t do it to gain followers. They do it to build the future generations of leaders. They understand that leadership isn’t measured by personal accomplishments, but by what others accomplish as a result of their impact.

Great leaders create clarity for their team by building systems for the work, they foster an environment of growth by investing in the development of their employees, and they position themselves as a multiplier by seeing the potential in their employees and empowering them to live into it. If you are ready to become a multiplier within your own organization, it is time to invest in your leadership abilities. After all, if you want your team to grow, you must focus on your own growth first.

-Meghan Slaughter