Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

April 26, 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.

Your words are drowning them (less words = more impact)

Howdy ,

We've covered saying what people need to hear and saying it in their language. Today, we tackle perhaps the most challenging building block:

Say it with as few words as possible.

The human attention span has fallen to around 8 seconds - less than a goldfish. This isn't just about presentations - it affects every workplace conversation.

Aiming to always be the one that "explain everything thoroughly" is not a compliment for all times.

Your insights might be valuable, but you're burying them under too many words. By the time you reach your point, people have already moved on mentally.

The Cost of Excess Words

Every unnecessary word:

•    Dilutes your main point

•    Taxes your listener's limited attention

•    Signals you haven't fully clarified your thinking

When Warren Buffett writes his annual letter to shareholders (arguably some of the most important financial communication in the world), he intentionally writes at a fifth-grade reading level.

Not because his audience is unsophisticated, but because clarity trumps complexity every time.

The Brevity Blueprint

Here's how to cut to the chase without losing impact:

1.  Start with your conclusion - Don't build up to your main point; lead with it

2.  Follow the Rule of Three - Limit supporting points to three or fewer (notice how our communication series has three parts?)

3.  Eliminate qualifier words - Words like "just," "actually," "basically," and "very" rarely add value

4.  Test for understanding - And if possible after speaking, ask specific questions to confirm comprehension

Your Challenge for Today:

Take an email you need to write today and cut its length by 40% before sending. Remove any sentence that doesn't directly contribute to your main point.

The Complete Communication Formula

Over these three days, we've developed a complete formula for commanding attention in any setting:

1.  Say what they need to hear (focus on their priorities)

2.  Say it in their language (adapt to their professional vocabulary)

3.  Say it with as few words as possible (respect their limited attention)

Master these three elements and you'll never struggle to be heard again - whether you're speaking to one person or presenting to a hundred.

Fellow Workplace Multiplier,

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.