6 of 6: The Heart of Growth: Multiplication – Influencing Others

Multiplication is not math—it is silent influence paying dividends in a healthy heart.

To set the stage, every great discussion begins with a story. Stories bring life, offer perspective, and create connections that make ideas relatable.

In full transparency, this story was a late addition. I typically write my newsletter on weeknights and weekends, scheduling it for Wednesdays. But after our Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning at church, I knew I had to revisit what I once considered finished and add a story that was truly meant for this week’s reading.

As we finished singing, Joel Goddard, our worship pastor at Bethlehem Church , shared a conversation he had recently. He told us about a moment in his small group when the men were casually talking about their jobs. As they went around sharing what they do, one man simply said, “I’m the guy that keeps the heart going while the doctor works on it.”

That one sentence stopped the conversation for a moment. Joel leaned in, curious, and asked, “Wait, what do you mean?”

As the man explained his role, the weight of his words settled in. The idea behind it—what occurs behind the scenes to maintain something vital—hit me hard. It was so powerful, so relevant, that I felt compelled to include it here.

The story and individual contributions you are about to hear perfectly bring our Heart Growth series full circle. They remind us that transformation—whether in leadership, faith, or life—requires unseen but essential work. This message resonates with every season we experience and is timely for today.

The Perfusionist

A perfusionist operates behind the scenes, yet their role is critical in every open-heart surgery. While the surgeon is the visible figure in the operating room, the perfusionist keeps the heart—and the patient—alive. They manage the heart-lung machine, ensuring that oxygen continues to circulate through the body while the heart itself is temporarily stopped. Without this precise and skillful intervention, the surgeon would not have the still, controlled environment needed to perform delicate, life-saving procedures.

Meanwhile, the surgeon focuses on repairing, replacing, or reshaping the heart. Whether clearing blocked arteries, repairing valves, or even replacing the entire organ, every move requires precision. The goal is always restoration—ensuring that, once restarted, the heart will function better than before.

But before any of this work can happen, the heart must first be emptied. It cannot be repaired while still full and functioning as usual. Only when the heart is still—when it has been completely surrendered to the process—can the surgeon effectively work on it.

Ok. Take a pause and let that sink in for a moment

Those who just got goosebumps know what I’m talking about. The same is true for transformation in life and leadership: change begins when we are willing to let go of pride, step into discomfort, and confront our own blind spots.

Just as the heart cannot be repaired while still full and functioning as usual, we cannot grow while clinging to old patterns, unchecked assumptions, or the illusion that we already have everything we need. Only when we release what holds us back—our resistance to change, our need for control, and our fear of discomfort—can true growth and renewal take place.

On a deeper level, surrender means something even more personal to me. Earlier, I mentioned those who got goosebumps when reflecting on the idea that the heart must be emptied before it can be restored—I was one of them. But for me, surrender goes beyond that moment.

True surrender is believing that Jesus Christ died on that Roman cross for me—that He is my surgeon, restoring me from the inside out. He is the one removing the blockage of pride, the discomfort and pain, the clogged passage of self-unawareness, and the chains that keep my old self anchored to the ground.

Faith is simply trusting in the unseen, and to do that, we must be willing to step out, let go, and empty our hearts for the new work to begin. Only THEN are we restored to multiply with our new self.

Multiplication and Awareness

Multiplication begins with seeing—seeing where you are, seeing where others are, and seeing what is possible. Without awareness, transformation cannot begin, and multiplication simply cannot take root. A leader who positively influences others must first recognize potential, stagnation, or barriers to growth, both in themselves and in those they lead.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey introduces the concept of "Sharpening the Saw", which is about continuous self-renewal. He tells a story of a man furiously sawing a tree but making little progress because the blade is dull. When asked why he does not stop to sharpen it, he replies, “I do not have time.” Covey argues that personal growth and renewal are essential for effectiveness.

• A dull saw cannot cut effectively - A leader who does not self-reflect or grow cannot help others grow.

• Awareness is the first step to renewal - If you do not recognize you are stuck in a cycle of inefficiency, you will keep sawing with a dull blade.

• Multiplication requires personal investment - If you want to influence others, you must first be aware of and work on your own blind spots.

If you do not take time to be aware—of yourself, others, and opportunities—multiplication will not happen. Covey’s Sharpen the Saw reminds us that effectiveness (and influence) depends on recognizing where we need growth and having the discipline to pursue it.

Multiplication and Pride

Multiplication does not occur when individuals hoard knowledge, power, or recognition. It happens when they invest in others, empower them, and create an environment where growth thrives. You cannot empower or invest if the heart leads from pride. At its essence, true leadership is not about personal success—it is about multiplying impact. Simply put, leadership is not about you; it is about those within your circle of influence.

The greatest leaders do not just build careers; they build people. If influence stops with you, it is not multiplication—it is stagnation. This leads people to operate from a scarcity mindset, stemming from pride, believing that success is a finite resource.

They think:

• “If I teach someone everything I know, they might replace me.”

• “If I share my insights, I lose my competitive edge.”

• “If I delegate too much, I will become less valuable.”

This mindset stifles growth, not just for individuals, but for organizations, teams, and communities. Multiplication requires abundance thinking—the belief that success grows when shared— requiring humility.

Consider three types of leaders that are inspired by the book Multipliers by Liz Wiseman The Wiseman Group. While I highly encourage reading the book for deeper insights, I believe it powerfully connects workplace dynamics to humility, pride, and the influence of a leader who lacks awareness.

As I reflected on these leadership dynamics, I identified each leader—the Multiplier, the Diminisher, and the Accidental Diminisher—and connected them to core traits. The Multiplier embodies humility, the Diminisher is driven by pride, and the Accidental Diminisher, though well-intentioned, operates from a lack of awareness. Understanding these distinctions is crucial as they shape how we lead, influence, and, ultimately, multiply growth in others.

The Diminisher (Prideful) - Diminishers are leaders who operate from a scarcity mindset, believing their intelligence, skills, or authority must be protected. To maintain their own importance, they control information, limit delegation, and stifle team potential rather than empowering others. This leadership style often results in micromanagement, the need to have the final say, a lack of development for others, and creating dependency instead of fostering growth. Rather than multiplying leadership, Diminishers keep teams small, stagnant, and reliant on them.

The Multiplier (Humility) -Multipliers empower and amplify the intelligence of those around them. They invest in others, create environments where leadership thrives, and challenge people to grow beyond their current capabilities. Rather than hoarding knowledge or control, they trust others with responsibility, foster ownership, and recognize potential in those they lead. By unlocking capability rather than restricting it, Multipliers create a culture of continuous growth, innovation, and lasting impact.

Accidental Diminishers (Lacks Awareness) - Accidental Diminishers are leaders who mean well but unknowingly suppress growth. Unlike those who hoard knowledge out of insecurity or power, they "overhelp" in ways that keep others dependent rather than empowered. They often jump in to fix problems, provide answers instead of asking questions, and move too fast for others to contribute. Many leaders fall into this category without realizing it—they believe they are being supportive, but in reality, they are doing the work for others rather than developing them.

The Best Leaders Invest in Others

The best leaders are measured not by their personal achievements but by the people they develop. Jesus trained disciples, not just followers, ensuring His leadership extended far beyond His time. Even today, much of what we teach in leadership and self-development is simply a modern adaptation of the timeless wisdom He shared centuries ago—guilty as charged! John Maxwell reinforces this idea, emphasizing that true leadership is about uplifting others, not just leading followers but developing leaders. Furthermore, we continuously see that the best coaches do not merely win games; they build teams that sustain success. Great leaders multiply, ensuring their impact lasts beyond them.

If multiplication is the goal, we must remove pride to allow for true growth. Pride convinces us that we already possess everything we need, that we should protect our influence, and that seeking help is a sign of weakness. However, pride does not multiply—it isolates. It keeps us clinging to what we have instead of expanding what we can give. Just like a heart surgeon, we must eliminate a large blockage called pride to be restored.

Multiplication and Willingness

Growth is never found in comfort. If humility clears the path for learning, then willingness fuels the journey forward. Multiplication does not happen in stagnant spaces—it requires movement, stretching, and stepping beyond what feels safe.

As we learned prior, comfort zones are prisons disguised as havens. Comfort zones relate to growth like zero relates to multiplication— a complete stop. Comfort lulls us into passivity, routine, and self-preservation. The problem? You cannot influence others from a place of stagnation. True influence requires helping people push past their safety nets, challenging them to step into growth—even when it is uncomfortable.

Consider these two types of mindsets:

• The Settler: Prefers familiarity, avoids risk, and resists change. Their growth is limited, and so is their impact.

• The Explorer: Seeks new challenges, embraces uncertainty, and pursues continuous learning. Their willingness to be stretched leads to exponential growth and influence.

Multiplication begins to take shape when we embrace an explorer’s mindset—one that sees discomfort not as a barrier, but as an indicator of growth.

This aligns perfectly with multiplication. Multiplying leaders do not just grow for their own sake; they create opportunities, stretch people, and encourage them to take risks.

• They do not hoard success—they share it.

• They do not protect their comfort—they challenge it.

• They do not keep others small—they empower them to expand.

When faced with discomfort, we have two choices: retreat into what is safe or lean into what is possible. Multiplication only happens when we choose the latter. The leaders who make the greatest impact are those who embrace discomfort—not just for themselves, but for those they influence. They are also the leaders that have the willingness to have uncomfortable conversations, which often leads to growth, deeper understanding, and new opportunities—and in many ways, it defines a person's success in life.

Multiplication and Breaking Old Patterns

Growth does not happen by chance—it requires intentional change. True transformation is not about incremental progress; it involves breaking old patterns, shifting mindsets, and unlocking potential in a way that multiplies far beyond a single individual.

Many people approach growth with a small-win "addition" mindset, thinking that slow, steady improvement is enough. While progress is important, multiplication demands more than gradual steps—it requires breaking cycles that keep people from moving forward.

Consider the difference between:

• The Maintainer: Sticks to what is familiar, making minor adjustments but avoiding real change.

• The Transformer: Actively identifies limiting patterns, disrupts the status quo, and embraces new ways of thinking.

Multiplication does not stem from maintenance—it arise from transformation. A leader who multiplies does not simply improve existing structures; they challenge outdated mindsets, eliminate barriers, and create lasting change. A multiplying leader does not just influence one person—they set off a chain reaction of transformed mindsets.  Their impact ripples outward, altering cultures, inspiring teams, and reshaping how people think and lead. Multiplication is not about one person achieving great things—it is about many people rising up because of one person’s influence.

A powerful biblical story that connects humility and multiplication is Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Jesus narrates the story of a master who entrusts three servants with different amounts of money (talents) before departing on a journey. The first servant, given five talents, invests and doubles his amount, while the second servant, entrusted with two, does the same. However, driven by fear and prideful self-preservation, the third servant buries his single talent in the ground, unwilling to take a risk. This parable reminds us that humility and faith lead to multiplication, whereas pride and fear lead to stagnation. Jesus calls us to invest in others, share what we have, and trust that multiplication will follow.

Suturing the Pieces Back Together

Multiplication is not simply about doing more—it is about becoming more and helping others do the same. It requires mindset shift, a commitment to growth, and an intentional choice to break free from comfort, pride, and stagnation.

Throughout this series, we have explored how awareness, humility, willingness, and transformation play essential roles in multiplying our impact. We have seen that pride isolates, comfort limits, and old patterns trap us—but humility multiplies, discomfort expands, and transformation unlocks lasting influence.

Just like the heart in surgery must be emptied before it can be restored, we, too, must release control, let go of pride, and embrace discomfort to step into the fullness of what we are meant to become. Leadership, faith, and personal growth all require surrender before transformation, and transformation before multiplication.

So, the challenge is this: Are you willing to multiply?

• Will you choose awareness instead of ignorance?

• Humility instead of pride?

• Willingness rather than comfort?

• Transformation instead of stagnation?

The greatest leaders do not just build careers; they build people. They do not simply create success; they create a legacy. They do not just grow themselves; they multiply their impact.

And that is what true multiplication is all about: not math— but the unseen influence that changes hearts, lives, and generations to come.

Now, go multiply.