The Multiplier Effect
Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools
- Liz Wiseman - Wiseman Group
- Lois Allen - San Jose Unified School District
- Elise Foster - Wiseman Group
Foreword by Clayton Christensen
Why are some leaders able to double their team’s effectiveness, while others seem to drain the energy right out of the room?
In this engaging and highly practical book, leadership expert Liz Wiseman, leadership coach Elise Foster, and veteran principal Lois Allen team up to offer compelling research showing the overwhelmingly positive and exponential effect on schools – getting more done without increasing the number of teachers and resources.
Taking a deep dive with more than 100 of education’s best leaders, the authors explore the five disciplines that distinguish Multipliers from Diminishers and how these leaders attract and develop talent, as well as harness new ideas and energy to drive educational innovation. These five disciplines are not based on innate talent; indeed they are skills that every educator can learn to use – even when steeped in lifelong Diminisher settings. By practicing these disciplines, leaders learn how to
- Attract top teachers to their school
- Create an intense environment that demands people’s best thinking
- Drive sound decisions by constructing debate and decision-making forums
- Give their team a sense of ownership for responsibilities and results
Supplements
"Everyone's heard about legendary educators who turn struggling schools around. Is it the force of their personality? Sheer genius? Or does the secret of their success lie in their ability to unleash the genius in the people around them? The Multiplier Effect suggests that by changing the way you lead, you can amplify the intelligence, talent, and passion of your fellow teachers and together conquer the challenges today's schools face. This is sure to be an energizing book for teachers and administrators at all levels of education."
"A fascinating book that shows how mindsets shape the way people lead. This book will forever change the way we think about leadership in our schools and the mindsets we need to tackle our biggest educational challenges."
"The Multiplier Effect is a ‘must-read’ for all educators seeking to unleash the genius that resides in every student that crosses the threshold of the schoolhouse door!"
"In 2010, Liz Wiseman introduced us to the term Multipliers—leaders who are truly genius makers. The Multiplier Effect takes this concept from the corporate world to the classroom. Educators at every level—classroom aides to superintendents—will be inspired to bring out the brilliance—the genius—in everyone around them. I urge you to read this book and let its fascinating ideas help you see that you, too, are a genius—and a genius maker."
"You cannot be an effective leader doing it by yourself. The Multiplier Effect gives you the tools you need to take on your biggest challenges by harnessing the capability of each staff member in your school."
"The Multiplier Effect makes us rethink many of our assumptions about leadership. The book is engaging, vivid and as practical as it is provocative. To lead others you must be able to lead yourself. The Multiplier Effect gives leaders and teachers useful tools to utilize the intelligence on their teams."
"Finally a real book for leaders to read, digest, and actually use! I cannot wait to use the specific exercises to promote The Multiplier Effect!”
"This provocative book is a must for school leaders. It provides clarity and insight into leadership and provides a framework to deliver strategy, improve working relationships, and boost individual leaders' capacity and capability. It is packed with real-world techniques for engaging people at all levels. This is a timely contribution to the leadership debate when schools everywhere are facing the challenge of change."
"The Multiplier concept is a powerful tool to develop and improve leaders both in business and across education, where we hear more about failure than we do about success. If educational leaders at every level read this book, we would hear more stories of successful educational outcomes. This book belongs on the reading list of anyone wanting to become the kind of leader that makes people and organizations better."
"Dripping in rich storytelling and anecdotes, this book explores why our society, schools, and companies desperately need to embrace the power of Multipliers in order to unleash talent, allow others agency, and fully utilize dormant intelligence. If you are looking to learn new leadership techniques, take advantage of your potential, and understand how to add value to your life and work, The Multiplier Effect is for you."