You Have Been Typecast By Your Own Competence
Jul 09, 2025 6:16 am
Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire
July 9, 2025
Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm by leveraging The Triple Win Method.
You Have Been Typecast By Your Own Competence
Howdy ,
Quick question: Have you ever watched someone with less experience get the opportunity you wanted?
It stings, doesn't it?
Here's what's really happening: they're not getting promoted despite having less experience. They're getting promoted because they have less experience.
Think about it. When leadership looks at you, they see "the expert who does X really well." When they look at the less experienced person, they see "potential" and "fresh perspective."
You've been typecast by your own competence.
I see this pattern everywhere. The finance analyst who's brilliant at complex modeling but can't break into strategy. The marketing manager who executes flawless campaigns but watches junior colleagues get promoted to brand strategy roles. The operations expert who knows every process inside out but gets passed over for leadership positions.
The cruel irony? Your deep expertise makes you appear "narrow" while their lighter experience makes them seem "versatile."
But here's what I've learned from working with professionals across different countries and industries: this isn't about your capabilities. It's about perception.
The less experienced colleague isn't necessarily more strategic. They just haven't been labeled yet. They haven't been put in the "expert box." They can still be anything.
You, on the other hand, have been categorized. And once you're in that category, it takes intentional effort to break out.
The good news? It's completely possible. Some of the most successful strategic leaders I know were once trapped in the same expertise prison. They didn't get there by abandoning their expertise - they learned to reposition it.
Saturday's masterclass will show you exactly how to make that shift.
I also made the shift in my career.
I moved from asset management operations to real estate advisory & projects. I recall a senior colleague telling me, “I didn’t think that would be the kind of transition you would want to make.”
Why? She had typecast me based on what I had become an expert in.
I broke the mold.
You too can do the same.
On Saturday, I’ll be hosting the “Beyond the First 5 Years: Building Your Strategic Pivot “ Masterclass. You'll discover the framework that transforms experience into strategic advantage, and leave with a clear action plan.
July 12th, 2025 | 6 pm WAT | 12 pm EST | 5 pm GMT | 7 pm WEST
Perhaps, you will finally decide to break that mold.
Because your experience should be your greatest asset, not your biggest limitation.
Keep winning at work and in life.
Tola Akinsulire
Your Strategic Workplace Mentor
Like this?
Please pay it forward by sharing it with someone who could benefit from it. They will thank you for it.
Want to get in on some of the lessons I have picked up in my career? Get my eBook "21 Lessons I Learned in My Career - A Primer to Help You Become Better at Work". Get it here
Do you work in a new country, or does your work involve working with people outside your country? Get my acclaimed book "Winning Beyond Borders: Achieving Success at Work in a New Country". Get it here
Was this forwarded to you? Sign up so you don't miss any edition. Click here to sign up.