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Are You a Multiplier or a Diminisher?

Are You a Multiplier or a Diminisher?

The difference can mean unlocking genius—or crushing it

Aftab Bismi
April 09, 2025

This week, I’m passing the mic to Aftab — a long-time friend with a unique edge. He’s climbed the corporate ladder and built a six-figure side business along the way. His perspective? Rare. Sharp. Worth your time. Give it a read.

Note from Ajay

The best leaders don’t add value. They multiply it.

Not with titles. Not with org charts.
But with how they show up, listen, and trust their team to grow.

A line from Multipliers hit me like a brick:

“Diminishers get less than half of people’s true capability.”

This book hit harder than I expected. It draws a sharp line between two types of leaders:

Diminishers shrink the potential around them. They micromanage, second-guess, and unintentionally drain the intelligence from the room.
Multipliers do the opposite. They create room for others to rise — unlocking more capability, not less.

The Three Levels of Team Efficiency

Leadership isn’t binary — it’s layered.

Level 1: Isolation.
Everyone works in silos. Output is capped at what each person can deliver solo.
Level 2: Collaboration.
People work together, but their individual strengths are still the limit. The whole is slightly more than the sum of its parts — but not by much.
Level 3: Multiplying.
A strong leader brings clarity, direction, and belief. Contributions align, friction fades, and the team starts to compound. That’s when real momentum kicks in — and 1 + 1 starts to equal 10.

5 Habits of Leaders Who Multiply

Talent Magnet
They spot potential before others do — and give it room to breathe. Multipliers don’t just hire well. They help people become 10x versions of themselves.
Liberator
They create psychological safety — where people feel free to speak up, take risks, and still be held accountable.
As Liz Wiseman puts it: “Real growth happens outside the comfort zone, inside a safe environment.”
Challenger
They raise the bar. Ask better questions. Expect more. They don’t coddle — they call people up.
Debate Maker
They welcome disagreement. Not for drama — for better decisions. Truth beats harmony.
Investor
They delegate with trust, not micromanagement.
By stepping back, they actually get more done — not less.

One quote that stuck:

“Your assumptions about people’s intelligence determine how much intelligence you get.”

That one made me pause. If you assume your team is smart, resourceful, and capable — you’ll get a lot more of that. People tend to rise to the expectations you set, even when unspoken.

Final Thought

You don’t need a fancy title or a massive team to be a multiplier.

You just need to start small:

Ask before you tell.
Give someone full ownership of something that matters.
Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.

Multipliers don’t hoard the mic.
They hand it over — and back people to sing.

Until next time,

Aftab Bismi (LinkedIn)