Orthodontists lead teams and aim to improve performance, inspire and grow their practices. Furthermore, some create remarkable team members and develop amazing businesses of empowered individuals who seem to “get it” and create memorable patient experiences. In the book “Multipliers” by Liz Wiseman, she reviews multiplier habits that grow those around us and makes a case for how the best leaders make everyone around them more intelligent.
In Wiseman’s book, the key message is that we should focus on multiplier moments and identify where we are well-meaning leaders that accidentally diminish those around us. A diminisher is often a smart person who is more focused on their intelligence than taking advantage of the potential smarts within their team. Diminishers tend to stifle ideas, which results in employees harboring feelings of unfulfillment and inferiority. Unfortunately, many of us can be accidental diminishers or have these tendencies sometimes. Most diminishers are well-intentioned but make honest attempts to lead, but in reality, they shut down ideas and cause others to hold back.
Meanwhile, multipliers do the opposite. They increase the intelligence and achievements of their team, creating collective, viral intelligence in the organization. They can also raise the game of all of their teammates and follow five leadership principles that multiply the effectiveness of their organization. Orthodontists and their teams can leverage these five methods to grow and nurture talent within their teams.
The Talent Magnet
This leader attracts and optimizes talent. They look for talent everywhere, match talent to tasks, and diversify their skills. Nevertheless, they build a team like a Chessmaster.
The Liberator
The Liberator requires people’s best thinking. This multiplier gives space to team members by offering fewer opinions. Liberators always acknowledge their mistakes. When they do, they are made as suggestions and not orders, unlike the tyrants, that are the diminishing counterpart to liberators.
The Challenger
The Challenger asks powerful questions that challenge their teams. Furthermore, they push those around them to new limits and avoid barking orders. Challengers set a vision, point in the right direction, and inspire their team to achieve incredible outcomes.
The Debate Maker
This leader debates decisions and challenges teams to have open debates with various voices and opinions. We strengthen the discussion with the team with facts, which should lead to a vital decision. In brief, the orthodontist asks questions and resists giving answers in this multiplying discipline.
The Investor
The Investor instills accountability. The team has the ownership and resources to achieve its goals. Unlike the diminishing micromanager, the Investor empowers.
