Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

April 22, 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.

How to Speak Better to Humans (Not Screens): Commanding a Room in 8 Seconds

During a recent panel interview for a couple of prospective applicants, I noticed an interesting trend.

Let me give a bit of context.

These applicants had at least 2 years of work experience in at least 2 companies. They had gotten at least one promotion in between.

So they were not complete rookies.

I was on the executive interview panel, the literal last line of defence against any potential bad hire.

I’m kidding.

I have also seen my role in those interviews a bit more nuanced. The applicants are interviewing the company as much as we are interviewing. One of my tasks was to make the candidate see the organisation as a great place to work.

Back to the interviews I was talking about.

As part of this final process, they were required to make a presentation on a case study that they had been provided with.

I noticed something during their presentation.

They were not used to presenting to living, physical human beings. They were used to presenting to people behind a screen.

The candidates had only worked in fully remote organisations. And it showed.

There were struggles in articulating ideas while facing a live audience, or just not wanting to look at the people they were presenting to face-to-face; a bit of ceiling gazing.

For one of them, I advised that it was important to transition to a hybrid or physical work environment. You only get better at talking with people by talking with people.

The Confidence Challenge

No matter how well you prepare for whatever you want to say, it takes a new level of confidence to speak to a live audience and communicate clearly.

I should know.

My first debate performance in secondary school was a mini-disaster. I had prepared all my points and was ready to rumble.

Once I stood in front of the students, my nerves failed me. Yep. I stuttered. At some point, I raised one of my legs slightly, and it just started to quake and shake.

What can I say? This is how legends are made.

By the way, this is not only about speaking with a big audience. Even in one-on-one situations.

The Pixie Dust Phenomenon

People plan for what they are going to say before going into “that office”. Once they are in the office, they end up saying less of what they really want to say.

I once listened to an interview with former United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael G Mullen.

According to him, as you open the door to enter the Oval Office to speak with the President, it feels like a bit of pixie dust is sprayed on you. How you thought you were going to speak sometimes is not how you end up speaking.

The Only Magic Ingredient: Practice

I’d like to get something out of the door first.

I don’t have a magic formula to help you speak better in either one-on-one or group situations.

The only magic for that is PRACTICE.

Practice before going in and keep practising so you can adapt to what you meet when you are in. This will help you build confidence and boldness.

Face-to-face communication skills aren't becoming obsolete – they're becoming rare, which actually makes them more valuable.

5 Ways to Build Your In-Person Communication Skills

If you're someone who's worked primarily in remote environments, here are some practical ways to develop your in-person presentation and communication skills:

1 - Join local professional groups or Toastmasters – These provide regular opportunities to speak in front of live audiences in a supportive environment.

2 - Volunteer for in-person opportunities – Whether it's presenting at a community event or speaking at an industry meetup, seek out chances to practice.

3 - Record yourself presenting – Watch the playback to identify habits like avoiding eye contact or speaking too quickly that you might not notice at the moment.

4 - Practice with trusted colleagues or mentors – Ask for specific feedback on your physical presence, not just your content.

5 - Schedule in-person meetings when possible – Even if your work is remote, try to have occasional face-to-face interactions with clients or colleagues.

They also work for you if you are working hybrid or physical office. They will get your confidence game up.

The Three Communication Building Blocks

What I will be giving you next are the building blocks to keep your audience listening to you.

There are three essential components you need to pack into your communication plan for face-to-face engagement, either in one-on-one or group situations.

1 - Say what they need to hear: This is important because it doesn’t matter what you say if it doesn’t meet a need for them.

2 - Say it in the language they are comfortable with: Master their language nuances. It is complex and boring to them if it is not in their language. Speak to doctors like a doctor.

3 - Say it with as few words as possible: This is so important. The human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 to 8.25 seconds (a 33% drop). The goldfish now has a better attention span (9 seconds) than we do.

The Competitive Advantage of Face-to-Face Skills

The ability to effectively communicate face-to-face remains crucial for career advancement. As we navigate this new world of work, the professionals who can seamlessly transition between virtual and in-person environments will have a distinct advantage.

The truth is, we're heading into an interesting time where physical presence is becoming a competitive advantage. Those who master it will stand out.

I hope that the next time you have that important face-to-face conversation or presentation, you show up with confidence and remember to say what they need to hear, in the language they understand, with as few words as possible.

And next time your leg shakes or you forget your perfectly rehearsed points, remember my story. We've all been there.

That's not failure. It's just part of your legend in the making.

Keep practising.

Keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor

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