Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

May 27, 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.

Feeling Powerless at Work? (You're not.)

Howdy ,

I'd like to invite you into the story of someone I worked with.

Originally from an African country, she relocated to Europe to build a life and a career. For today, I call her Stephanie (not her real name).

She got a job in a company she liked. A few months into the job, she was having difficulty with her boss.

Stephanie was working with me as a coaching client. We developed a couple of strategies to see if it would improve the working relationship, including adjusting her communication style to match her boss's preferences and seeking clarification on expectations.

Nothing changed.

At a point, Stephanie came back and said this about the boss, "She is a bully."

She was literally trying to make her quit the job. It wasn't insinuated. She said it directly.

But we couldn't let anyone take control of her career success.

We agreed that she should reach out to an HR expert familiar with the laws and staff protection in that country.

The HR expert was very helpful. She advised on a strategy to win the battle - documenting everything with dates and evidence, understanding her legal rights, and presenting a formal complaint through proper channels while maintaining professionalism.

Stephanie followed the strategy meticulously.

Long story short, she was able to move from the boss to another team where she continues to thrive in the company.

Stephanie's experience illustrates a crucial truth that every professional needs to remember:

This is not a fictional story. It is the story of what can happen if you choose to control your career narrative.

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

Before situations escalate to bullying, watch for these red flags:

• Consistent public criticism or humiliation
• Unreasonable deadlines or workload assignments
• Exclusion from important meetings or communications
• Undermining your authority in front of others
• Refusing to provide clear expectations or feedback

Your Power, Your Choices

Nobody controls whether you enjoy your work experience or not. You do.

Nobody controls when you leave an organization. You do.

No matter how difficult the situation is, you always have options. You just have to know who to call - whether it's HR, an employment lawyer, a union representative, or a career coach who can help you strategize your next moves.

Why Skills Matter in These Situations

Here's what developing your skills does in difficult workplace situations: it gives you options and confidence.

When Stephanie knew she had valuable, transferable skills, she could negotiate from a position of strength rather than desperation. She wasn't just surviving - she was positioning herself to thrive.

Always remember, you are as good as the skills you bring to bear at the workplace.

Better skills solve bigger problems. Bigger problems bring bigger recognition.

When you're equipped with strong skills and clear strategies, even the most challenging workplace situations become stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

Play the bigger game.

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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