Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire
September 23, 2026
Welcome to Workplace Multiplier, the weekday newsletter for senior leaders tired of fixing, chasing, and rescuing. You'll learn how to build a trusted, capable team that fully owns critical responsibilities...freeing you to lead at the level your role demands.
I wasn’t the person they were looking for
Howdy ,
I had only been working for about two years when my Head of Department was moved to start another department.
The company began looking for a replacement.
I was not being considered.
They wanted someone with at least five years of audit experience because they believed that background would help the person deliver better in the role.
I had only two years of total work experience post national youth service graduation.
They went through the recruitment process looking for someone who matched the profile.
Then, unexpectedly, they decided to try me in the role.
A little over six months later, a C-suite executive gave me feedback I have never forgotten:
I had performed better than they expected-and changed their perspective about who could successfully occupy the position.
I didn't succeed by trying to compensate for the audit experience I lacked.
I approached the work differently.
In particular, I focused on using IT as an enabler to simplify processes and speed up the department's work.
The company's original requirement was reasonable.
But it was based on an assumption about which experience would best predict success.
The stretch assignment gave them new evidence.
Job requirements often reflect what has worked before. But they can also prevent us from seeing a different combination of strengths that could work even better.
This does not mean ignoring relevant experience.
It means remembering that experience is a proxy for capability-not always proof of it.
Who on your team might perform differently-but better-if given the opportunity?
Keep winning at work and in life.
Tola Akinsulire
Your Strategic Workplace Mentor
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