Leadership 101: The Multiplication Principle
Published In the future
- 3 min read
Instead of being the sole source of ideas, decisions, and direction, multiplying leaders intentionally develop others to be leaders too. Their impact is not limited to their own capacity—it’s scaled through the people they mentor, trust, and equip.
“The best leaders don’t just add value —they multiply it by empowering others to lead and grow.”
Addition vs. Multiplication in Leadership
| Style | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Addition | One leader adds value to their team. |
| Multiplication | One leader multiplies value by raising up other leaders. |
A leader who adds value is helpful. But a multiplying leader is transformative —they create leaders of leaders, expanding the organization’s capacity exponentially.
Real-Life Example
Imagine a department manager who always solves every problem personally. That’s addition. Things get done—but slowly, and only through them.
Now imagine a leader who:
That’s multiplication. Over time, this leader creates a high-performing, self-sustaining team—and maybe even future managers.
Now imagine a leader who:
- Coaches team members to make decisions,
- Delegates authority, not just tasks,
- Encourages innovation and accountability.
That’s multiplication. Over time, this leader creates a high-performing, self-sustaining team—and maybe even future managers.
Core Practices of Multiplying Leaders
- 1. Identify Potential
- Spot leadership qualities in others early—initiative, influence, problem-solving.
- 2. Invest Intentionally
- Provide mentorship, resources, stretch assignments, and honest feedback.
- 3. Empower with Trust
- Let others lead projects, make decisions, and learn from failure.
- 4. Celebrate Growth
- Recognize leadership development as a core success metric.
- 5. Let Go of Control
- Multiply impact by decentralizing authority and resisting the urge to micromanage.
Why It Matters
In the long run, multiplying leaders:
Organizations led by multipliers don’t depend on a single star —they thrive because leadership is widely distributed.
- Build stronger teams
- Prevent burnout (including their own),
- Drive innovation and resilience
- Create lasting legacies.
Organizations led by multipliers don’t depend on a single star —they thrive because leadership is widely distributed.
Final Thought
Multiplying leaders live by this principle. They know leadership is not about being the hero—it’s about making others the heroes too.