Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

May 6, 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.

The $18,000 Question That Made Me Smile

Howdy ,

“I hope you are not charging $18,000?”

I smiled when I got this question.

Let me give you the background on this question.

The Free Action Calls

Last week, I shared on my social media platforms that I was offering free 30-minute action call sessions on May 1st for anyone who wanted it.

All they had to do was hop on a Zoom call with me. No sales pitch, nothing like that, just me showing up to help them address any workplace-related issue they want to address.

Later in the week, someone reached out to me for a follow-up meeting on some proposal he had made to an acquaintance and me. He wanted to do it on May 1st.

I had a limited window of time between the action call sessions to take the meeting.

The $18,000 Question

During the meeting, the other acquaintance wanted to understand why I only had a short time for the meeting. After telling him what I was doing, he asked about how the calls had been going.

I gave him a quick overview of some of the issues I had addressed so far. He was impressed. It was then that he asked that question.

“I hope you are not charging $18,000?”

He was doubly impressed to know that it was free.

I smiled at the whole conversation. Why?

Yes, this was for free, but not everything I do is for free. But I do this for free for a reason.

The Value of Community

It’s an opportunity to invest back in my community.

Growing up, one of the things we benefited from was the wisdom of people within our community.

There was an older cousin or some uncle or auntie that you could tap on for insights and advice.

By the time I got into higher institutions, there were seniors either in the department, fellowship, or at the hostel ready to invest a bit of wisdom into that decision you are about to make.

So, what happened?

Some of us have forgotten the value of community and investing in community.

Don’t get me started on social media. That is not a community - it is a town square. You can’t say it like it aches you.

In your community, you can do that.

Giving Back to My Community

Maybe because I have been supported by wisdom from key people in my community, I am conscious of looking for opportunities to give this back to my community.

I have a community at work. And so I go out of my way to do more than the regular to serve them.

Once upon a time, someone who was not a member of my team came to speak with me about a gap she had noticed in her proficiency skills.

My advice?

I developed a 3-month mentoring plan for her to work with me. For free.

Why?

Because she is part of my community.

Will I do that for everyone?

Probably not.

Will I do that for a few?

Probably yes.

Why?

Because we deepen the value in the community when we can continue to invest in people in the community.

Making Space for Connection

On May 1st, someone in one of my communities reached out to me. She had seen my invitation but could not find a slot.

I opened a new slot for her.

Why?

Because she is part of my community.

Be ready to serve your community.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help in your community.

But don’t be the one to abuse the opportunity that your community affords you.

When Others Gave to Me

I once reached out to Dr Sam Adeyemi for time to discuss some work-related matters with him.

I was willing to pay for his time.

But he met me for free.

He is not the only one I have had this experience with.

There are others like that.

I offer to pay for their time to gain insight on something important to me.

But they choose not to be paid.

Because I am part of their community.

The Community Challenge

Know your community - at work, social groups, religious gatherings, and where you live.

Serve your community.

Invest back in your community.

Keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor

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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

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