Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

March 3, 2026

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm.

I'm still on my writing break. Making progress on the new book. Looking forward to sharing it with you.

You're Not Overworked. You're Over-Yes'd

Howdy ,

Being good at your job is the fastest way to drown in everyone else's work.

The reward for competence? More work.

I remember a season when my "Yes" became automatic.

New request? Yes. Quick turnaround? Yes. "Just help us this once"? Yes.

Then one morning I looked up and realised — there was no room left to do my actual job well.

That's when I learned: pushing back isn't attitude. It's leadership.

Here are 3 moments I push back now 👇🏾

1. When quality will suffer. If taking this means I deliver everything at 65%, I'd rather protect the 100% that actually moves the needle.

2. When the task is a "cry baby." It screams urgency. But if it's loud and not linked to strategy, it goes to the back of the line.

3. When rest has disappeared. Leaders running on fumes make expensive mistakes. That's not commitment. That's a liability.

But I don't push back with vibes. I push back with a plan.

"I can take this new one, if we agree what drops. Because adding this will affect my ability to deliver the bigger one. The one tied to impact and the bottom line."

Sometimes they say: "Keep the bigger one." Sometimes: "Let's delay it consciously."

Sometimes, we do battle until…naaa…no Russian roulette involved

Bottom line, you've stopped being the "Yes" machine and started acting like a strategic partner.

You won't win every pushback.

But you don't have to live like your only professional option is "Yes."

Most career professionals aren't overworked. They're over-'yes'd.

Where have you been saying "Yes" out of habit, when you should be renegotiating priorities?

Keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor