Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

April 8, 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.

3 Presidential Communication Tricks You Can Use Tomorrow

Howdy ,

Once upon a time, we had a target-setting session in the company I worked in.

I wasn’t facilitating it. I was just presenting my team’s targets for the period.

At the end of the session, someone came over to tell me, “I liked the way you communicate.”

I responded in appreciation.

This was not happenstance.

Over the years, improving my communication is one of the core areas I have focused on. Yes, I have a standing personal learning plan focused on 4 areas - spiritual, personal development, people development and communication. And I have days devoted to learning in each area.

This is not about that.

It’s about something more.

The Master Communicator: Bill Clinton

One of the first people that framed my communication skills was former US President Bill Clinton. His communication skills were legendary.

He even had a knack for finding three sides in a two-sided argument. Yes, you read that right. He usually worked for a “Third Way” which two opposing sides could agree on.

Unlikely Teachers: Obama and Trump

In recent times, I have been learning communication nous from strange bed-fellows. Allow me to introduce two additional US presidents, President Barrack Obama & President Donald Trump.

I bet some of you are wondering…”What’s Donald Trump doing in the list?”

I started taking notice of him during his first run as president.

There is one common thing that both he and Obama have adopted in their communication style.

It’s simplicity.

The Power of Simplicity

Both leaders prioritize clear and straightforward language to ensure their messages are accessible to a broad audience.

Obama often avoids jargon and uses everyday phrases like "folks" to simplify complex concepts, ranking low in linguistic complexity and embellishment.

Similarly, Trump uses simple vocabulary, short sentences, and repetitive phrasing to make his ideas memorable and easy to grasp.

How else do you think do you think they came up with Obama’s “Yes, We Can” or Trump’s “Make America Great Again”?

Action Words That Move People

Another thing both of them share is the use of strong action words. Now and again they drop in words like “need” or “must”. You listen to them and you have to do something.

Both of them have developed communication style that projects strength, connect with their audiences and define their identity. Obama’s brand is defined by “Hope and Change” while Trump models anti-establishment.

I am learning from both of them to improve my communication in the workplace.

The Clinton Connection

But I never forget the main man who showed me how communication can be used to connect.

Bill Clinton.

I still remember his second debate with George H.W. Bush. Beyond the way he answered questions in a language the everyday man could understand, he also showed that every person asking a question had his full attention.

George H.W. Bush blundered as a voter asked about the national debt and its personal impact. The camera caught him checking his watch instead of looking at the voter.

This moment contrasted sharply with Clinton’s empathetic and engaging demeanour as he directly addressed voters' concerns about the economy and their struggles during the recession.

The first thing Clinton said to the voter was, “Tell me how it’s affected you again,” a clear sign that he wanted to connect directly with her concerns. He did this before going into the big-picture plan on how he was going to do his magic to solve the macro problem.

This pivotal moment is often cited as a key factor in Clinton's success in presenting himself as a leader who understood and cared about ordinary Americans' challenges.

Two Key Communication Lessons

I learned two things in that moment.

First, say it in simple words in a way that people like to be spoken to.

Second, give people your attention when communicating with them.

A publisher asked me after I completed the draft of my book, “Winning Beyond Borders: Achieving Success at Work in a New Country”, what I was aiming for in my writing.

My response?

Bill Clinton’s autobiography, “My Life”, which I read decades earlier, gave a different perspective on how you can write non-fiction and still make it a fun ride.

That book was like sitting with a friend on a balcony and sharing wonderful life stories as the evening sun went down. You might both even be enjoying a jar of cold orange juice as your mouths played the melody of talking and chewing.

As it turned out, unconsciously I had written something like that. That’s what a couple of people across different parts of the world told me after reading the book.

Make It Simple, Make It Connect

And that’s the kind of way I want to communicate in the workplace.

Even when I am delivering the not-so-happy news.

I hope you will take it well knowing that I am the one giving it to you.

Let’s raise our communication skills in the workplace.

By making it simple.

And Connecting.

As always, 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

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