Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

June 27, 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.

Strategy Meetings vs. Time Wasters (The Distinction That Matters)

Howdy ,

Still on this week’s conversation. I got this feedback:

"Well, a lot of these meetings are strategy meetings, though… we just don't come in to review work done, we are consistently looking at market trends, reviewing our strategy, and looking at our profit line. But it really can be a lot. I was in a meeting from 8:30am to 3:45 pm yesterday. By the time I was done, I had very little motivation to get any work done. Unfortunately, this is how I spend most of my weekdays, in back-to-back meetings. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on how to create a balance between these meetings and other work activities."

`My response? Here it is:

Great insight! You've identified a critical distinction - strategy meetings vs. routine meetings.

Here are my thoughts:

Strategy meetings are absolutely valuable - they're the work, not interruptions to it. Your challenge isn't eliminating these meetings; it's optimizing them for energy management.

Try clustering strategy sessions into focused blocks (morning intensive, afternoon break, brief evening wrap-up) rather than spreading them across 7+ hours.

Between strategy blocks, schedule 15-minute "processing breaks" to capture insights and reset mentally.

Also consider: which strategy discussions truly need your real-time input versus updates you could review asynchronously?

The goal isn't fewer strategy meetings - it's preserving your cognitive capacity to contribute meaningfully to each one.

Additionally, I try to protect my mornings by making sure I block them from meetings. Most days, I try not to get into meetings until 10:30 am. 8 – 10:30 am is when I try to get some of my critical thinking work in. I have another block late in the afternoon for that too from about 4pm – 5pm.

Why This Matters for Your Visibility

This approach to energy management actually enhances how senior leaders perceive you.

When you show up to strategy sessions mentally sharp and prepared, you contribute at a higher level.

Instead of being the person who's present but drained, you become the person who adds unique value when you engage.

Senior leaders notice professionals who bring their best thinking to important discussions.

Your Action Step:

Try protecting just one 2-hour block this week for focused work. Use this time for the strategic thinking that will make you more valuable in your next key meeting.

This is a start...as you get better, you create more pockets of time.

Remember: exceptional contribution beats perfect attendance every time.

As always, keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor

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