Impact Players

About the Author

Liz Wiseman is a researcher and executive advisor who teaches leadership to executives around the world. She is the CEO of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm. Some of her recent clients include Apple, AT&T, Disney, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Salesforce, Tesla, and Twitter. She is the author of New York Times best-sellers Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools, and Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work. Her latest book, Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact, delves into what sets top contributors apart and how anyone can adopt the mindsets and behaviors of these high-impact individuals.

Main Idea

Impact Players explores the characteristics and behaviors that distinguish top performers—those who make outsized contributions and drive their teams forward. Liz Wiseman identifies the practices that make these individuals invaluable, providing a blueprint for others to elevate their performance and become indispensable in their organizations. The book reveals that it's not just about talent or intelligence but about adopting specific mindsets and actions that enable one to handle ambiguity, take initiative, and create significant impact.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Impact Players
• Make Yourself Useful
• Step Up, Step Back
• Finish Stronger
• Ask and Adjust
• Make Work Light
• Developing the Impact Player Mindset

The Impact Players

Impact players are those who make significant contributions not only through their individual efforts but also by elevating the performance of their entire team. These individuals are not just doing their jobs; they go beyond, solving problems, taking initiative, and adapting to changing circumstances with ease. They are distinguished by their mindset and approach to work, which allows them to navigate ambiguity and consistently deliver exceptional results.

"Impact players see everyday challenges through an opportunity lens, while others view the same challenges through a threat lens." - Liz Wiseman

Impact players are described in contrast to two other types of contributors: typical contributors and under-contributors. Typical contributors do solid work, while under-contributors perform below their capabilities. Impact players, however, go above and beyond, making a noticeable impact on their teams and organizations. This difference lies in their mindset and how they approach work, particularly in dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. While others might get frustrated or paralyzed by unclear situations, impact players dive in and tackle the challenges head-on, much like an experienced swimmer diving into a wave rather than being tumbled by it.

Make Yourself Useful

Impact players don't just stick to their job descriptions; they do the job that needs to be done. They identify where they can add the most value and focus their efforts there. This often means stepping out of their comfort zones and addressing the most pressing needs of their organization, regardless of whether it falls within their official role.

"The most impactful players don’t just do their jobs; they do the job that’s needed." - Liz Wiseman

There are several key habits that help impact players make themselves useful: