Leonardo Freixas Challenges Traditional Leadership: Focus on Multiplication, Not Control

In a recent LinkedIn post, Leonardo Freixas challenges conventional notions of leadership, arguing that true strength lies not in maintaining control or basking in personal glory, but in empowering and multiplying the impact of others. Freixas contrasts “weak leaders” who “protect the spotlight” with “strong leaders” who “multiply it,” framing this distinction as the core difference between mere control and genuine leadership.

Freixas posits that leadership is fundamentally about the positive change inspired in people, rather than an individual’s personal impressiveness. He elaborates on this by stating:

“Leadership was never about being the most impressive person in the room. It’s about what happens to people because of you.”

This perspective shifts the focus from self-aggrandizement to the development and elevation of the team. Freixas asserts that insecure leaders tend to hoard power and protect their own positions, whereas secure leaders actively cultivate individuals capable of stepping into their roles. This philosophy is encapsulated in his observation:

“Insecure leaders protect their position. Secure leaders build people who can replace them tomorrow.”

The Multiplication Effect: Building Leaders, Not Followers

Freixas outlines several key strategies employed by great leaders to achieve this multiplication of impact. Central to his argument is the idea of building leaders rather than merely cultivating followers. He explains that followers can foster dependence, whereas leaders drive momentum. This involves a deliberate effort to foster growth and capability within the team.

Key Strategies for Multiplying Impact

Freixas highlights several actionable approaches for leaders aiming to multiply their influence:

• Building Leaders: Shifting from creating followers to developing individuals who can lead independently.
• Giving Credit Away: Recognizing and attributing success to team members, which Freixas believes builds confidence and subsequently enhances performance.
• Creating Psychological Safety: Fostering an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, as silence can stifle innovation and great ideas.
• Raising Ceilings: Offering support and confidence to team members, which can significantly impact their career trajectory.
• Making Themselves Replaceable: The ultimate goal for Freixas is to build teams so robust that they can succeed even in the leader’s absence.
• Multiplying Influence: The process of scaling impact, where one leader’s influence extends to many, creating a ripple effect that grows into significant momentum.

According to Freixas, the ultimate measure of leadership is not personal brilliance, but the success and growth of those the leader influences. He encourages leaders to “light more fires” rather than solely seeking personal recognition.

“Leadership isn’t measured by how bright you shine. It’s measured by who shines because of you.”

Freixas concludes by reinforcing that authentic leadership is about creating more leaders, thereby scaling impact far beyond what any single individual can achieve alone. This perspective offers a compelling alternative to traditional command-and-control leadership models, emphasizing empowerment and collective growth as the true markers of success.