Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

May 30, 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 Blind Spot That Kills Good Ideas

Howdy ,

Last week, a senior from secondary school reached out to me. He was preparing a startup funding pitch for potential investors and wanted me to review his submission before presenting it.

An interesting request since most people are typically secretive about these things. I guess he must trust me enough to believe I wouldn't run off with his idea.

Having made several investment pitches myself, I was able to do a deep dive this week and provide detailed feedback on his submission. I was glad he asked me to review it.

Why?

Because he had prepared his submission from a viewpoint of being too close to the subject matter. The effect of this is that he didn't prepare the documents to convince but rather to affirm.

The first position assumes that the audience doesn't know enough to believe you have the best idea, team, and strategy for taking advantage of this market opportunity. The latter assumes they already believe you have the best idea, team, and strategy, so you focus on talking about the opportunity itself.

Both approaches work - but only when matched to the right situation and audience.

This experience reminded me of a broader truth: you need a third set of eyes on the core aspects of your work life.

You are too close to the action, so you will develop blind spots. But people who are removed from the action can give more nuanced and less biased opinions of you and your decisions.

They need to be people you trust - and whose judgment you respect enough to act on. Who are your trusted advisors? When did you last seek their perspective on something important?

The most successful people I know have cultivated a small circle of advisors who aren't afraid to tell them hard truths. These aren't yes-men or cheerleaders, but people who care enough about your success to point out what you can't see.

My former senior's pitch would be significantly stronger because he had someone willing to challenge his assumptions. Beyond just providing my thoughts, I shared a YouTube training of someone who had pitched and successfully raised millions of dollars.

I also provided a template investment pitch presentation that he can work off. His investors might see a more compelling case, and he'll have a better shot at securing the funding he needs if he can implement some of these recommendations.

The lesson? Don't wait until you're preparing for something big to seek outside perspective. Make it a regular practice. Your blind spots are costing you opportunities you don't even know you're missing.

What decision are you wrestling with right now that could benefit from a trusted outsider's view?

As always, keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor

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