Are You Ready for What Just Happened?

Jun 17, 2025 6:16 am

Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire


June 17, 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.




Are You Ready for What Just Happened?

Howdy ,

 

A couple of things grabbed my attention from the news around the world of work in recent times.

 

“African companies prioritizing AI skills”, “Digital platforms are transforming temporary work across Africa”, “European job markets facilitated massive cross-border recruitment drives”, “North American companies announced 'PeopleFirst' culture awards, prioritizing trust and belonging over traditional metrics”, “Organizations worldwide are emphasizing adaptability and continuous learning as the most sought-after employee attributes”

   

From Lagos to London to Los Angeles, the message was clear: the future belongs to people who can adapt, keep learning, and work flexibly.

 

But here's what most people miss while scrolling through their news feeds - these aren't just trends to watch. These are chances to grab.

 

Honestly, I didn’t need the news to tell me that. It just validated what I already knew. I see them in my day job and my training practice.

 

The workplace is calling for something different. A different way of doing and being for the workplace professional.

 


Why This Matters to You Right Now

 

The old playbook? It's dead. Here are the new rules:

 

  1. Being adaptable beats being an expert. Companies would rather hire and keep someone who learns fast than someone who knows everything about yesterday's methods.
  2. Your skills have expiration dates. What got you hired two years ago might not keep you employed two years from now. So also says the title of America's most sought-after executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith’s book, “What Got You Here Won't Get You There.”
  3. Flexibility is your currency. Your ability to work with multiple generations, collaborate seamlessly, and manage multiple projects concurrently - these enhance your value on a massive scale.
  4. Continuous learning isn't optional. It's the price of staying relevant.

 


Your Action Plan (Four Simple Steps)

Based on everything I see, here's what I’d recommend you focus on:

 

1. Get Comfortable with Digital Tools

Look, AI skills are exploding everywhere. But being digitally fluent isn't just about knowing the tech - it's about being comfortable using technology as your thinking partner.

What to do this week: Pick three digital tools used in your industry that you don't really know how to use. Choose one and spend 30 minutes learning it.

 

2. Learn to Adapt

Companies are looking for people who can evolve with the business. They want people who see change coming and get ahead of it instead of fighting it.

What to do this week: Find one part of your job that's changing because of technology or market shifts. Instead of avoiding it, become the person who masters it first.

 

3. Build Your Network Beyond Your City

With remote work and global talent mobility, your network can't just be people in your building or your city. European companies are recruiting across borders, and North American companies want people who can collaborate with anyone, anywhere.

What to do this week: Connect with one professional outside your immediate area. Don't ask for anything - just understand how your industry works in their part of the world.

 

4. Work According to Your Values

All this talk about "people-first" cultures isn't just corporate speak. Companies are finally realizing that people do their best work when their personal values align with their professional work.

What to do this week: Write down your top three professional values. Then honestly evaluate how well your current role lets you express them. If there's a gap, start thinking about how to bridge it.

 

Small Actions, Big Results

Here's what most career advice gets wrong - it focuses on dramatic changes instead of small, consistent actions. The people who succeed during big workforce changes aren't the ones making massive career moves overnight. They're the ones who invest in their growth a little bit every week.

 

Fifteen minutes of daily learning adds up to real expertise over months. One new professional connection per week builds a powerful network over a year. Small experiments with new tools and methods become significant advantages.

 

Your Weekly Schedule

Don't try to change everything at once. Instead:

  • Tuesday: Spend 30 minutes reviewing your digital skills
  • Wednesday: Try something new for 30 minutes
  • Thursday: Reach out to one new person (20 minutes)
  • Friday: Think about your values for 15 minutes

 

The Mindset That Changes Everything

You know what separates people who advance from those who get stuck? It's not talent or luck or who they know. It's a mindset.

 

People who move forward see change as an opportunity. They see skill gaps as chances to become indispensable. They understand that uncertainty creates space for people bold enough to step into it.

 

While others worry about AI taking jobs, they're learning to work with AI. While others complain about remote work challenges, they're getting really good at virtual collaboration. While others resist new industry standards, they're becoming early adopters.

 

What You Should Do Next

The global workforce is changing, whether you join in or not. The question isn't whether change is coming - it's whether you'll be ready when it gets here.

 

This week's developments across Africa, Europe, and North America aren't abstract trends. They're previews of your professional future. The companies investing in skills development, flexibility, and people-centered cultures - those are the ones that will succeed. The professionals who align with these directions are the ones who will advance.

 

Your career success won't come from predicting the future perfectly. It will come from building abilities that matter no matter what specific changes happen: adaptability, continuous learning, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership.

 

The world of work changed recently. The question is: will you?

 

You've got this,


You can win 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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